Learn how to cook orzo in the Instant Pot for a simple and flavorful side dish or main dish you can enjoy any night of the week.

Instant Pot orzo is perfectly tender with an incredible creamy texture. You’ll love orzo hot or cold–and it cooks in just a few minutes.

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Rice is one of my favorite grains, but sometimes I am ready for a change.

Orzo is a delicious and versatile pasta that often gets overlooked in the kitchen. It’s one of my favorite pastas because it cooks quickly and I can use it in so many different ways!

Many people often think orzo is rice, but it is truly a pasta––it’s just shaped somewhat like rice.

You can boil orzo just like you boil other noodles, but it can be easy to overcook orzo, resulting in noodles that are mushy.

Learn how to cook orzo in the Instant Pot pressure cooker and you’ll never cook it any other way! It truly is so simple.

Instant Pot orzo turns out perfectly every single time. The little pieces of pasta come out tender, but not overdone.

Orzo is an adaptable side dish but can also hold its own as a main dish. I love to top it with Roasted Pepper and Cherry Tomato Sauce and serve it with a green salad and a loaf of easy homemade french bread.

More Easy Instant Pot Pasta Tutorials:

• How to Cook Pasta in the Instant Pot
• How to Cook Tortellini in the Instant Pot
• How to Cook Frozen Ravioli in the Instant Pot

How to Use Instant Pot Orzo

Orzo is extremely versatile. You can use it in both hot and cold applications.

One of my favorite ways to serve it is this Instant Pot lemon parmesan orzo! Here are some other ideas to get you started:

• Stir in a couple of tablespoons of butter while warm, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper, and enjoy a simple meal–similar to risotto.
• Chill and use it in a cold pasta salad (I’m partial to this Italian pasta salad and this lemon basil pasta salad).
• Add it to soups or stews.
• Top with any traditional pasta sauce.
• Add some roasted vegetables.
• Toss in some fresh spinach or kale and let it wilt from the heat of the orzo.
• Chop some fresh herbs to add before serving.
• Use it as a base for your favorite protein–crumbled Italian sausage, grilled chicken or shrimp, or pan-seared fish.

How to Make Instant Pot Orzo

It’s really easy to make pressure cooker orzo.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Dry Orzo Pasta
• Water (or broth)
• Salt (omit if using broth)
• Olive Oil

How to Make It:

(Full printable recipe is available below)

Add the ingredients. First, you’ll combine orzo, water (or broth), salt (if using water), and olive oil in the insert of the Instant Pot.

Cook the orzo. Next, you’ll close and seal the Instant Pot and cook at high pressure for 4 minutes followed by a quick release of pressure. Once the pressure is released, carefully remove the lid.

Garnish and serve. Last, you’ll stir in any add-ins or top with sauce and serve. My favorite simple additions are butter and parmesan. It makes it so creamy!

Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper, then serve as desired! It really is one of the most simple things, yet is so comforting.

You can make it for yourself as a quick and easy lunch, as a side dish, or as a base for your main dish.

Notes and Adaptations:

• Orzo is extremely versatile. You can use it in a cold pasta salad or stir in a couple of tablespoons of butter while warm, sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan and black pepper, and enjoy a simple meal.
• You can add it to soups or stews, serve it with a sauce, or add some roasted vegetables.
• Use it as a base for your favorite protein–crumbled Italian sausage, grilled chicken or shrimp, or pan-seared fish.
• As written, you’ll have about four 1/2-cup servings, which is ideal for a side dish. If you want to serve larger portions for a main dish, you can easily double this recipe.