• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Howe We Live logo

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
    • By Category
      • Appetizers
      • Breads & Muffins
      • Breakfast& Brunch
      • Christmas
      • Desserts
      • Drinks
      • Main Courses
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups/Salads
    • By Cooking Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Instant Pot
      • One Pan
      • Sheet Pan
      • Slow Cooker
    • By Ingredient
      • Beef
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Poultry
      • Seafood
      • Vegetarian
  • Resources
    • Kitchen Hacks & Tips
    • Lifestyle
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • All Recipes
  • Resources
  • Shop My Favorites
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » By Cooking Method

    Instant Pot Orzo

    Published: Aug 30, 2023 by Andrea Howe · This post may contain affiliate links.

    4 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Making instant pot orzo is a quick and simple way to achieve fluffy, perfectly cooked and flavorful orzo every time. Using just 4 ingredients and ready in under 20 minutes, you may never make it on the stove top again. Serve this as a simple tasty side, or add your favorite ingredients to make a fantastic orzo salad. 

    Parsley garnishes orzo pasta served in a bowl.

    Orzo cooked in the pressure cooker is creamier and more flavorful than cooking on the stove top. The reason? When you cook pasta in the Instant Pot, the starchy pasta water infused with the pasta, giving it a creamy texture. It almost reminds me of a light risotto! This flavorful result makes it a perfect standalone side dish, or a fantastic starting point for a variety of delicious pasta salads. Serve it with pesto butter salmon, parmesan pork chops or grilled chicken thighs.

    Jump to:
    • ​Why you’ll love this simple orzo recipe
    • What is orzo?
    • Ingredients to make pressure cooker orzo pasta
    • How to make orzo in the Instant Pot
    • Different ways to serve orzo
    • ​Simple tips to make the perfect orzo in the pressure cooker
    • Instant Pot Orzo

    ​Why you’ll love this simple orzo recipe

    • Cooks orzo simply and perfectly, with no need to boil water!
    • Cooking orzo in an electric pressure cooker adds more flavor and creaminess
    • Simply prepared, orzo makes for a perfect side dish, or with added ingredients, becomes a wonderful main dish. The tiny pasta is also great to use in soups. 
    Tasty orzo pasta ready to serve from a large serving bowl with a spoon resting in it.

    What is orzo?

    Orzo is a small rice-shaped pasta that is popular in Mediterranean cuisine. In Italy, orzo is classified as pastina or “little pasta,” which is a category of very small pastas, and is also known as risi or rosini. 

    While orzo may look like a large grain of rice, it is actually made of semolina flour, which is a golden yellow color and has a high gluten content. Therefore, orzo pasta is not gluten-free, nor is it a whole grain. Though a little harder to find, whole wheat versions are available. 

    Ingredients shown are used to prepare instant pot orzo pasta.

    Ingredients to make pressure cooker orzo pasta

    • 1 cup of orzo pasta – this recipe is tested and created using standard semolina flour orzo, not whole wheat orzo. Cooking times may vary if using whole wheat.
    • 1 ¾ cups of chicken broth – you may also use 2 cups of water, but I like the flavor that the broth imparts.
    • 1-2 tablespoon olive oil 
    • 2 minced garlic cloves 
    • ½ of a small yellow onion, very finely diced – this is optional though! Only include if you have the time and desire to dice. It adds some additional flavor, but is not necessary.  

    How to make orzo in the Instant Pot

    Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add the olive oil. Sauté the garlic and onion for 1-2 minutes, just to release flavors. Add the orzo and saute for 2-3 minutes, making sure to stir so the pasta doesn’t start to burn in spots.

    Hit cancel on the pressure cooker, and then slowly add the chicken stock or water on top of the orzo. The pot will sizzle and steam up, but that’s ok.

    Wooden spoon stirring diced onion in the instant pot.
    saute garlic and onion if using
    Wooden spoon stirring orzo pasta in an instant pot.
    add orzo and saute

    Pro-tip for perfect orzo!

    Now here is the important part! Do NOT stir the pasta before closing the lid. Stirring the pasta in the broth/water may release too much starch, making the orzo come out sticky and gluey. This is a tip you should follow any time you are making pasta in the Instant Pot. 

    Broth being added to an instant pot with orzo pasta inside.

    Secure the lid, making sure the knob is set to the sealing position, and cook on manual mode high pressure for 2 minutes. Note that it will take approximately 3 minutes for the pressure to build up before the 2 minute timer starts. 

    Front facing instant pot pressure cooker.

    Cook for 2 minutes, making sure to stay close by so that you can hear the beep when the timer goes off. Once cooking is completed, place a towel over the knob, and do a quick manual pressure release. DO NOT do a natural pressure release, as the pasta will overcook! 

    When the remaining pressure is released, open the instant pot lid and give the orzo a stir, making sure to loosen any stuck pasta on the bottom of the pot. There will still be liquid in the pot and that’s okay! 

    Close the lid for 5-8 minutes, allowing the orzo to cook in the residual heat and absorb the remaining liquid. After 5 minutes, remove the lid and give it another stir. The orzo should be creamy and cooked al dente.

    Serving spoon resting inside a serving bowl of instant pot orzo.

    Serve immediately, or refrigerate to make into a cold pasta salad. Note that there may be a little residual liquid, but it will fully absorb while the past continues to cool.

    Different ways to serve orzo

    • Add cooked orzo to finished soups to make the dish a bit more filling and comforting.
    • While still warm, stir in parmesan cheese, 1-2 tablespoons of butter and a bit of salt to make an easy creamy pasta dish the whole family will love. Super kid friendly!
    • Chill cooked orzo and stir in a variety of delicious veggies and flavors. Pesto and fresh basil is phenomenal combination. Or make an Italian inspired orzo pasta salad with fresh herbs, lemon zest, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives and feta cheese! 
    • Serve alongside your favorite chicken recipes or grilled salmon for an easy weeknight dinner. 
    • Perfect for meal prepping an easy lunch for the week! Dish out in containers with your favorite protein and an easy green salad, saving yourself time and money!
    • I love cooking this versatile pasta because it’s so easy to transform into something interesting and delicious! 
    Top view of a large serving bowl of instant pot orzo with parsley garnished on top.

    ​Simple tips to make the perfect orzo in the pressure cooker

    • Do not stir the orzo pasta in the broth before cooking! This may result in sticky, starchy pasta.
    • Make sure to stay close by when cooking! I have made the mistake of leaving the orzo sit too long on “warm” once it was done cooking, resulting in sad, mushy pasta. Total bummer.
    • If serving cooked as is, stir in about 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese to the orzo after allowing it to rest for a few minutes. It will thicken up any residual liquid and immediately turn it into a creamy, lightly cheesy pasta dish.

    You’re going to love this new way of making orzo in the Instant Pot!

    Tried this recipe? Please leave a comment and/or rating, letting me know how you enjoyed it! Connect with me on Instagram and Pinterest, and never miss a post by signing up for my weekly newsletter!

    • Santa Maria Style Tri Tip Crock Pot Recipe
    • Easy Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe
    • Apple Chicken Sausage Recipe with Orzo Pasta
    • platter of chicken breasts with pistachio crust on a black platter and greens
      Pistachio Crusted Chicken (Cooked 3 Ways!)
    Parsley garnishes orzo pasta served in a bowl.

    Instant Pot Orzo

    Making instant pot orzo is a quick and simple way to achieve fluffy, perfectly cooked orzo every time. Using just 4 ingredients and ready in under 20 minutes, you may never make it on the stove top again. Serve this as a simple tasty side, or add your favorite ingredients to make a fantastic orzo salad.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 4 minutes minutes
    Closed Pot Time: 13 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 19 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Author:Andrea

    Equipment

    • 1 Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup orzo
    • 1.75 cups chicken broth
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1-2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1-2 pinches of salt
    • ½ small onion finely diced optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add the olive oil. Sauté the garlic and (optional) onion for 1-2 minutes, just to release flavors. Add the orzo and sauté for 2-3 minutes, making sure to stir so the pasta doesn’t start to burn in spots.
    • Hit cancel on the pressure cooker, and then slowly add the chicken stock or water on top of the orzo. Add a couple of pinches of salt.
    • Do NOT stir the pasta before closing the lid. Stirring the pasta in the broth/water may release too much starch, making the orzo come out sticky and gluey.
    • Secure the lid, making sure the knob is set to the sealing position, and cook on manual mode high pressure for 2 minutes. Note that it will take approximately 3 minutes for the pressure to build up before the 2 minute timer starts. 
    • Cook for 2 minutes. Once cooking is completed, place a towel over the knob, and do a quick manual pressure release.
    • When the remaining pressure is released, open the instant pot lid and give the orzo a stir, making sure to loosen any stuck pasta on the bottom of the pot.
    • Close the lid for 5-8 minutes, allowing the orzo to cook in the residual heat and absorb the remaining liquid. After 5-8 minutes, remove the lid and give it another stir. The orzo should be creamy and cooked al dente.
    • Serve immediately, or refrigerate to make into a cold pasta salad. Note that there may be a little residual liquid, but it will fully absorb while the pasta continues to cool.

    Notes

    Total closed pot time = 3 minutes for pressure to build, 2 minutes to cook, release and briefly open lid to stir, then secure lid and keep closed for another 5-8 minutes.
    Do not stir the orzo pasta in the broth before cooking! This may result in sticky, starchy pasta.
    Make sure to stay close by when cooking! I have made the mistake of leaving the orzo sit too long on “warm” once it was done cooking, resulting in sad, mushy pasta. Total bummer.
    If serving cooked as is, stir in about 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese to the orzo after allowing it to rest for a few minutes. It will thicken up any residual liquid and immediately turn it into a creamy, lightly cheesy pasta dish.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 89kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 192mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Howe.We.Live or tag #HoweWeLiveRecipes!

    More Cooking Method

    • Quick & Easy Steak Picado (with Potatoes)
    • Miso Butter Salmon – Quick & Easy!
    • Homemade Air Fryer Taquitos
    • Easy Homemade Air Fryer Croutons

    About Andrea Howe

    Andrea Howe is a Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC PN-L1) and the founder of Howe We Live. As a seasoned home cook of over 20 years, developing and photographing recipes is her passion. Andrea has spent over 10 years in the health & nutrition industry, writing for various publications including Babble and Disney. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Taste of Home, Yahoo, Buzzfeed and ABC News.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jennifer H says

      August 30, 2023 at 4:42 pm

      5 stars
      saw this and immediately had to make it. used the onion and garlic and used chicken stock and parmesan. Will add a smidge of salt next time. served with haricot verts and salmon and it was perfect. thank you for this recipe!

      Reply
      • Andrea Howe says

        August 31, 2023 at 12:01 pm

        thank you for sharing and letting me know! Also, added a note in the recipe card to add a pinch of two of salt before cooking! Great feedback 🙂

        Reply

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Caucasian women sitting on a kitchen counter smiling, holding a glass of white wine

    Welcome to Howe We Live. I’m Andrea, a Certified Nutrition Coach and a passionate home cook. I’ve been writing about the health & nutrition industry for over a decade. As a mom of 3, my number one goal is to make eating well as uncomplicated as possible. Let me help you throw together a great meal at home that is both delicious, and healthy-ish. Read More

    Latest Posts

    • Cajun honey butter salmon on a black serving platter garnished with parsley and honey.
      Slow Roasted Cajun Honey Butter Salmon
    • Baking dish with colorful, veggie filled egg bites laying on parchment paper.
      Egg White Bites Recipe with Spinach & Red Pepper
    • Costco Grocery List (my fave healthy foods at Costco)
    • Lemon Orzo Salad
    • Southern Macaroni Salad
    • Pesto Butter Salmon

    Top Posts

    • picture of 2 glasses filled with coconut pineapple margarita
      Coconut Pineapple Margarita Recipe
    • Beef Sirloin Tip Steak With Garlic Butter Potatoes
    • Skillet Turkey Meatballs & Rice
    • A piece of chicken cutlet cooked in air fryer dipped in ranch dressing
      Chicken Cutlets In the Air Fryer

    As Featured In:

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • About

    Newsletter & Contact

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Contact

    Notable Links

    • Recipes by Category
    • Shop Clean Beauty

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 · Howe We Live · Privacy Policy