Orzo Stuffing Recipe (2024)

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5 stars (4 reviews)

40 minutes mins

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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!

This site contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission.

Christmas Holiday Side Dishes Thanksgivingbacon carrots celery onions orzo Pasta sage

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

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? ›

Orzo can stick together and become a clump.

The alternative is to drain the cooked orzo, transfer it to a bowl and drizzle a scant teaspoon or so of olive oil and give it a stir to very lightly coat the grains, but use a very light hand -- this is not dressing.

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? ›

Orzo is a type of pasta made from whole-wheat flour, semolina flour (a product of durum wheat), white flour, or whole-grain flour that manufacturers cut into a shape similar to grains of rice.

Is orzo healthier then rice? ›

Orzo also has a higher fiber content than rice as well. Orzo does, however, have a higher carbohydrate content per serving, but not by much. Due to the higher protein and fiber content, orzo will leave you feeling fuller for longer which is helpful for those trying to lose weight.

Which is healthier orzo or pasta? ›

Is orzo more healthy than pasta? Orzo is a type of pasta. So, they share similar nutritional values. But how healthy a dish is depends more on what you mix into it and how much you take.

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.

Should orzo be covered when cooking? ›

Toast the orzo for a few minutes until it smells nutty. Add in the salt and water. Bring to a simmer and turn the heat to medium low. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes until the water is absorbed.

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 like 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.

Is orzo a bad carb? ›

Orzo has a very high carbohydrate content. People who follow keto diets avoid consuming too many carbohydrates since it prevents fat burning. Therefore, it is unsuitable for keto diets. Whole grain orzo has a lesser amount of carbohydrates as compared to the white flour version.

Is orzo healthier than spaghetti? ›

Orzo is commonly made from white flour, but it can be made from whole-grain flour as well, making it a healthier pasta option.

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? ›

Orzo is a good source of thiamin and niacin, also providing some B6, folate, iron and zinc. White rice delivers more zinc than the others, but has much smaller amounts of other nutrients.

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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