Orzo Stuffing Recipe (2024)

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5 stars (4 reviews)

40 minutes mins

Posted by Sommer Collier on Nov 22, 2013 (last updated Jun 17, 2019)

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A fabulous holiday stuffing recipe made with orzo pasta instead of day old bread. Just the thing to give your stuffing recipe a little dose of intrigue this year.

Orzo Stuffing Recipe (1)

It pains me to say this, but it has come to my immediate attention (after a very official survey on my Facebook page late one night) that approximately 20% of you don’t like Thanksgiving stuffing because of the texture.

As stuffing is my absolute favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner, my head is hanging in sadness.

In fact, to further explain my attachment to stuffing, let me just say my older sister tells stories about how I use to talk about stuffing in my sleep when I was a little girl. It is very special to me.

So today I’d like to reach out to those of you who don’t have the same appreciation for stuffing that I do, and offer a compromise…

Our Orzo Stuffing Recipe!

Orzo Stuffing Recipe (2)

If wet-bread texture is troubling to you, this stuffing recipe is the solution.

Using DeLallo Pasta in the orzo stuffing recipe creates a lovely firm yet fluffy texture, instead of the moist dense stuffing that the other 80% of us love.

After experimenting with this, I have to tell you, this might be my new favorite stuffing recipe. The piece-y texture and light pasta flavor means the other ingredients really shine through. You get the savory-sweet pop from sautéed apples, celery, carrots and onions, along with rich salty bits of crisp bacon.

Orzo Stuffing Recipe (3)

Plus the shape and size of my favorite orzo, DeLallo Orzo Number 65, is not only visually appealing, it makes it easy to scoop, serve, and stuff.

If you like to fill your bird with stuffing on Thanksgiving, you could most definitely use this orzo stuffing recipe in it! Wouldn’t your turkey look beautiful with this colorful orzo cascading out?

I think so.

Orzo Stuffing Recipe (4)

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5 stars (4 reviews)

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Orzo Stuffing Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

A fabulous holiday stuffing recipe made with orzo pasta instead of day-old bread.

Servings: 6

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 1 pound DeLallo Orzo Pasta
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 1 cup diced onions
  • 1 cup diced carrots
  • 1 1/2 cups diced apple
  • 12 ounces chopped bacon
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage

Instructions

  • Place a large pot of salted water over high heat and bring to a boil. Cook the orzo according to the DeLallo package instructions and drain, saving 1 cup of the pasta water for later use. (If you plan to use this stuffing in a bird, undercook the pasta a little bit.)

  • Meanwhile, place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon to the skillet and brown until just cooked through. Then add the celery, onions and carrots to the skillet and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add the apples, stir and saute another 2-3 minutes until soft, but firm.

  • Now mix in the cooked orzo and sage. Toss well and add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water to help the flavors mingle. Toss and cook another 1-2 minutes, using more pasta water if needed. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 556kcal, Carbohydrates: 67g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 24g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 37mg, Sodium: 409mg, Potassium: 465mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 3695IU, Vitamin C: 5.2mg, Calcium: 46mg, Iron: 1.5mg

Course: Holiday, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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Christmas Holiday Side Dishes Thanksgivingbacon carrots celery onions orzo Pasta sage

26 comments Leave a comment »

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26 comments on “Savory Orzo Stuffing”

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  1. Pingback: 75 Recipes to Make Your Thanksgiving a Success

  2. Pingback: Food: 100+ Thanksgiving Side Dishes - Pink Heels Pink Truck

  3. Shaina Reply

    I love the idea of doing all the stuffing flavors but without the soggy bread. I can’t wait to try this!

  4. Nutmeg Nanny Reply

    Oh my, I love this stuffing recipe :) perfect twist on a classic

  5. Russell at chasingdelicious.com Reply

    Yum and yum!

  6. Megan {Country Cleaver} Reply

    I can just eat this with a spoon right ? I don’t want anything else getting in the way of me and that orzo but a fork!!

  7. marla Reply

    Such a great twist on traditional stuffing!

  8. Kevin @ Closet Cooking Reply

    Nice orzo stuffing!

  9. Julie @ Table for Two Reply

    Seriously so creative!!! I LOVE that you used orzo for this stuffing!!

  10. Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen Reply

    This looks amazing. I love the bacon and sage together!

  11. Laura (Tutti Dolci) Reply

    I love orzo, wonderful stuffing idea!

  12. Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles Reply

    What a fun way to mix it up for Thanksgiving!!

  13. Cassie Reply

    What an amazing stuffing recipe!!

  14. DeLallo Foods Reply

    This looks delicious, Sommer! Perfect for the holiday season! Thanks for featuring our orzo!

  15. Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living Reply

    What a beautiful simple stuffing alternative Sommer – love the bright veggies!

  16. Jay Reply

    Any ideas on a good substitute for the bacon? Other than that may fix it today….

    • Sommer Reply

      Jay in my mind, nothing compares to bacon. Are you looking for a meatless substitute or a pork-free substitute?

      You could make it with chicken sausage, or even try turkey or soy bacon.

  17. Heather Christo Reply

    I LOVE this idea in place of bread- beautiful dish sommer!

  18. Stacy Reply

    O.M.G. My mouth is watering! You just added a new twist to our Thanksgiving. Wonderful!

  19. Marian (Sweetopia) Reply

    Looks soo good! Wish this was my lunch today!

  20. Jenny Flake Reply

    What a fun way to switch up stuffing! I want some!!

  21. Maria Reply

    Love DeLallo’s orzo! Great way to switch up the traditional stuffing!

  22. Shari Reply

    This looks delicious, and great presentation dish. The colors are gorgeous.!

    xoxo ~Shari
    http://www.pinkblotmom.com

  23. Tieghan Reply

    This looks good good, Sommer! I love the idea of using orzo instead of bread! My family is actually not real big on traditional stuffing so this is perfect!

  24. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl Reply

    I love this version of stuffing!!! I could eat this any day of the year!

  25. Pingback: The Party Blog: Where DIY Projects and Confetti collide | The Party DIY

Orzo Stuffing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does orzo taste like pasta or rice? ›

Most prominently, orzo is made from wheat flour, while rice represents its own wheat-free class of cereal grain that grows as a grass. Orzo has a less starch-heavy consistency, which allows for a shorter cooking time. Its flavor is creamier, and it has a softer texture that integrates seamlessly into dishes.

Why is my orzo sticky? ›

If for some reason you can't soak the pot, then take some time to remove the orzo by hand before it starts sticking to the pot. Leaving the pasta in the hot and cooling pot and on dishes and utensils can "cement" the pasta to the walls of the vessel and to the dishes and utensils.

What is the purpose of orzo? ›

In Italy, orzo is classified as pastina or "little pasta," which is a category of very small pastas. Orzo is typically used in soups in Italian cuisine, but you can use it in any number of pasta dishes, soups, grain bowls, and other places where a petite, toothsome pasta can come in handy.

Is orzo a form of pasta? ›

Though orzo is shaped like rice, it is actually a pasta. Further confusing the two, sometimes orzo makes its way into rice-centric dishes such as rice pilaf and casseroles.

Is orzo healthier than pasta? ›

Orzo is rice-shaped pasta. Although its appearance resembles grains of rice, orzo is actually made from a specific type of flour called semolina. Since orzo is a type of pasta, the health benefits of orzo and pasta made from the same ingredients are the same.

Is orzo healthier then rice? ›

Orzo is a type of pasta that's similar to rice in shape, size, and texture. Whole-wheat orzo packs more fiber and protein than regular orzo, which makes it the healthier choice. Still, it's fairly high in calories, providing about 50% more calories than an equal serving of white rice.

Do you need to rinse orzo before cooking? ›

Test Kitchen Tip

Rinse the orzo only if it will be baked or served cool in a salad. Otherwise, do not rinse; rinsing removes a light coating of starch that helps sauces and seasonings cling to the pasta.

How do you keep orzo from getting mushy? ›

Boil the orzo about 10 minutes or until it has a firm, chewy texture, stirring occasionally to prevent it from sticking together. Drain orzo in a colander. For the best flavor and texture, serve the orzo immediately after cooking.

Is orzo healthy? ›

Orzo can fit beautifully into your meals, potentially offering valuable nutrients. It comes packed with carbs, making it an energy source for your daily needs. Its whole-grain variants offer added fiber and nutrients.

What are the side effects of orzo? ›

Q. Is it safe to use Orzo 10mg/20mg Capsule? Yes, Orzo 10mg/20mg Capsule is safe for most of the patients. However, in some patients it may cause common side effects like diarrhea, stomach pain, flatulence, dryness in the mouth, dizziness, headache and other uncommon and rare side effects.

How do Italians eat orzo? ›

Orzo can be an ingredient in soup, including avgolemono, a Greek soup, and in Italian soups such as minestrone. It can also be part of a salad, a pilaf, or giouvetsi, or baked in a casserole. It can also be boiled and lightly fried, to create a dish similar to risotto.

How much does 1 cup of orzo make? ›

Add Orzo. Add 1 cup dried orzo (about 6 ounces) to boiling water. This yields 2 cups cooked: 4 servings of ½ cup each.

Can diabetics eat orzo? ›

Orzo and asparagus are low-glycemic foods, making this recipe great for those who need to control their blood sugar.

What ethnicity is orzo? ›

Although originating in Italy, orzo has long been extremely popular in other cuisines, particularly those along the Mediterranean & the Middle East. For example, traditional Greek giouvetsi (youvetsi), a delicious one-pot-wonder recipe made using beef, spices and a rich tomato sauce, has long used orzo in its recipe.

What is orzo called in Italy? ›

Orzo is a familiar shape that goes by many names – risoni (or “big rice” in Italian) and puntalette (“tiny tips”) are just two of its other aliases.

What does orzo taste like? ›

It's often confused for a grain because of its small shape, but it is a dough that's rolled, cut, and dried just like any other pasta. Orzo has a mild, neutral taste just like pasta. Its small size gives it a velvety mouthfeel and springy texture.

Can orzo be used like rice? ›

Orzo, which means barley in Italian, is a tiny, rice-shaped pasta, slightly smaller than a pine nut. This petite pasta has a great texture, cooks quickly, and is a wonderful addition to soups and salads. Orzo is also a perfect substitute for rice, which is how we used it in today's recipe.

Why use orzo instead of rice? ›

As white rice is not as dense, these serves deliver a similar weight of food. These have a similar carbohydrate content but orzo delivers twice the protein of brown rice and a few more kilojoules. These are all low in fat.

Can you substitute rice for orzo pasta? ›

If you're making a soup or stew, rice can work well as a substitution for orzo pasta. However, you may want to cook the rice separately before adding it. Rice is so starchy that when cooked with the broth, it will thicken considerably. That said, you can always offset this by adding more liquid.

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