Out of orzo? An orzo substitute is easy to find once you know what to match: size, starch level, and cook time. I've swapped orzo in and out of soups, salads, and casseroles for years, and this list covers every option I actually reach for, plus a high-protein pick that's become a pantry staple for many of my readers this year.
This guide rounds up the 16 best substitutes for orzo pasta, grouped by small pasta shapes, rice and grains, and gluten-free picks, including a high-protein chickpea or lentil pasta option that has become more popular in 2026. It's for home cooks out of orzo who need a swap that holds up in their dish, whether that's a brothy soup, a cold pasta salad, or a baked casserole. Each substitute notes how its texture, cook time, and starch level compare to orzo, so you can choose the right one on the first try instead of guessing. The post also sorts substitutes by use case (soups, hot dishes, cold salads) and answers the most common orzo swap questions people search for.
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What is Orzo
Orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta made from semolina flour. It's classified as a "pastina," or little pasta, in Italian cooking, though you'll see it just as often in Mediterranean and American recipes. It shows up most in soups, rice pilafs, and pasta salads.
Because semolina flour is high in protein, orzo holds its shape well even in dishes with a longer cook time, like soups and casseroles. It's a tiny pasta that can hold its own in almost any comfort food recipe.
Is Orzo gluten-free
Orzo is not gluten-free. It's made from wheat-based semolina flour, so if you need a gluten-free option, skip down to the substitutes list below. I've flagged which ones work for a gluten-free diet.
How to use Orzo
Orzo works in cold salads like this caprese orzo pasta salad, in soups like this chicken pastina soup, and in risottos, hot pasta dishes, and casseroles.
How to cook Orzo
Cook orzo the same way you'd cook any pasta. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook it until al dente. If you're using orzo in a soup or casserole where it needs extra liquid, use the same ratio you would for rice: 1 cup of orzo to 2 cups of liquid. For a nutty flavor, toast the dry orzo in a little butter or olive oil before adding any liquid.
Best orzo substitutes
Here is my full list, starting with other small pasta shapes, then rice and grains, then the gluten-free and high-protein picks.
Ditalini Pasta
Ditalini, an Italian word meaning "little thimbles," is an excellent substitute. It's another small pasta shape, a tube rather than a rice shape, and it's great in light soups and cold salads. It has a similar texture and cook time to orzo.
Broken Spaghetti
Technically not a pastina, but broken spaghetti is such an easy swap. I'd bet you already have spaghetti in your cabinet, so just break it into small pieces for any recipe that calls for orzo. This is also an easy fix if you're gluten-free: grab gluten-free spaghetti and break it up the same way.
Stelline
Stelline is a small, star-shaped Italian pasta. It's one of my favorite orzo alternatives for soup. I make this chicken and pastina soup all winter, especially when someone in the house is feeling sick. It's also great in creamy orzo-style dishes.
Acini de Pepe
Similar to ditalini or stelline, acini de pepe is a small, round pasta, even smaller than orzo. If you've had Italian wedding soup, you've had acini de pepe. It's a solid substitute for orzo salads or soups.
Small Elbow Macaroni
If you're in a real crunch, small elbow macaroni works for soup or pasta salad. It's not technically pastina, but it's a classic Italian pasta shape you can find at almost any store.
Arborio Rice
Arborio rice is what you'd use for traditional risotto, and it's the closest texture match to orzo, plus it's a similarly small size. Its starchiness adds a creamy texture to risottos, casseroles, and other hot dishes. Most grocery stores carry it.
Pearl Barley
Pearl barley is an ancient grain. It's not gluten-free, but it is lower in gluten, so it's a good option if you're cutting back without going fully gluten-free. It works well in stews and hearty soups and adds a nutty flavor. Just note that barley takes longer to cook than orzo, so plan for that.
Couscous
Pearl couscous is your best bet here since it's made from the same durum wheat semolina flour as orzo. Regular couscous works too, but it's smaller than orzo or pearl couscous.
Farro
Farro is another ancient grain and a great, healthy swap for orzo. It's similar in shape and texture to short grain rice, with a slightly nutty flavor. It is not gluten-free, so scroll down for a better option if that's what you need.
Fregola
Fregola is made from semolina flour like orzo, but its shape and texture land closer to couscous: small, round, pearl-like balls. It's a great substitute for soups, pasta bakes, or casseroles.
White Rice
A long-grain white rice, like jasmine, also works well in place of orzo. It's likely already in your pantry, so you can skip a grocery run. I'd stick to using rice in hot dishes like soups or casseroles rather than cold salads.
Best Gluten-Free and High Protein Substitutes for Orzo
If you're gluten-free, or you're just trying to work more protein into dinner (a lot of my readers have been asking about this in 2026), these are the swaps I'd reach for first.
Quinoa
Quinoa is a great gluten-free substitute for orzo, and it naturally has more protein than traditional pasta. It works in hot or cold dishes. If you've never tried it in a cold salad, you should.
Brown Rice
Short grain brown rice is a good gluten-free option that's a similar size to orzo. It's easy to cook and budget-friendly, with a slightly chewier texture than orzo.
Cauliflower Rice
I always keep a bag of frozen cauliflower rice in the freezer during colder months. It's an easy add to chili or vegetable soup, and it works well as an orzo substitute in hot dishes. It's not the move for cold pasta salad.
Lentils
If you want a grain-free substitute beyond cauliflower rice, lentils are next in line. They're affordable, protein-rich, and work in both hot and cold dishes.
Chickpea or Lentil Pasta
This is the newest addition to my list, and it's the one I get asked about most now. Chickpea- and lentil-based pastas (Banza is the brand you'll see most often) are widely available in a small, orzo-like cut at this point, and they pack noticeably more protein and fiber than traditional or even whole wheat pasta. It's naturally gluten-free, cooks in about the same time as orzo, and holds up in both hot dishes and cold pasta salads. If you're trying to make a lighter version of an orzo recipe without changing the texture much, this is the swap I'd try first.
How to choose the best orzo substitute
The right substitute depends on what you're cooking. Here's how I'd sort them.
Soups
- Ditalini Pasta
- Broken Spaghetti
- Stelline
- Acini di Pepe
- Small Elbow Macaroni
- Quinoa
- Lentils
- Chickpea or Lentil Pasta
Main Course Dishes (Pasta Bakes, Casseroles, and More)
For hot dishes with a longer cook time, you'll want something that holds its shape. These are my picks.
- Ditalini Pasta
- Broken Spaghetti
- Acini de Pepe
- Small Elbow Macaroni
- Fregola
- Couscous
- Pearl Barley
- Farro
- Quinoa
- Chickpea or Lentil Pasta
Cold Salads
Not every substitute holds up cold (cold cauliflower rice is a hard pass). Here's what I'd use in a cold pasta salad.
- Ditalini Pasta
- Broken Spaghetti
- Stelline
- Acini de Pepe
- Small Elbow Macaroni
- Couscous
- Farro
- Fregola
- Quinoa
- Lentils
- Chickpea or Lentil Pasta
FAQs
Can I substitute regular pasta for orzo?
Yes, any small pasta shape, or "pastina," works as a substitute for orzo. I'd recommend ditalini, stelline, or acini de pepe first.
Can I substitute rice for orzo?
Yes, orzo and rice are interchangeable in most recipes. Arborio and white rice are the closest matches for soups and casseroles.
What's the closest substitute to orzo?
Arborio rice and pearl couscous are the closest matches to orzo in both size and starch level. Ditalini pasta is the closest match if you want to stick with a small pasta shape.
What's a gluten-free substitute for orzo?
Brown rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, lentils, and chickpea or lentil pasta are all gluten-free substitutes for orzo. Chickpea pasta is the closest in texture if you don't want the dish to taste noticeably different.
Is there a healthier, higher protein substitute for orzo?
Chickpea or lentil pasta and quinoa are the highest protein swaps on this list, with lentils close behind. All three work in the same dishes orzo does, so you're not sacrificing texture to get more protein.
Do I need to change the cook time if I substitute for orzo?
It depends on the swap. Small pastas like ditalini and stelline cook in about the same time as orzo, but grains like pearl barley and farro take longer, so check the package and add extra time if needed.
Amazon Home Kitchen Finds
If you're cooking any pastina, you'll want a stock pot and a fine mesh strainer so your noodles don't fall through the holes of a regular colander.
I also love these shallow pasta bowls for more than just pasta. They work just as well for salads or dinner serving bowls.
