The name Orzo is the Italian name for barley. Barley has a disc-like shape when in its natural form, hence the name Orzo. In some regions, orzo is commonly called rizoni. Moreover, Orzo falls in a class of pastas called pastinas due its small rice looking shape.
However, Orzo is known by different names in different regions of the world. For example, in Greece, orzo is called Krithiraki while in Spain a similar pasta is called Pinones.
Orzo Pasta and Protein
Orzo is a riced shaped pasta that is sometimes made from semolina flour. In addition, This type of flour is said to be higher in protein compared to white flour.
The high protein content contributes to the rigid structure that maintains its physical structure better during cooking and does not become a soft, clumpy, or mushy product.
What Dishes Can You Make With Orzo?
Cheesy Orzo Cranberry Carrot
Orzo Pasta Salad
Orzotto
Soups
Side Dish
Orzo Nutrition Content
The Pasta LaBella Orzo is made by an American company called AIPC (American Italian Pasta Company) The nutrition facts indicate that 1/3 cup Pasta LaBella Orzo provides: 200 cal 7 grams protein and 41 g Carbohydrates.
Their Orzo product used in this recipe is enriched with B vitamins such as: thiamin (35% (DA) Percent Daily Value), folate, niacin, riboflavin, and also provides you with 10% DV of iron.
Below is the comparison of nutrition facts between orzo, white rice, and brown rice. The nutrition content across different brands will vary.
Nutrition Comparison of Orzo Pasta vs. Rice.
Pasta laBelle Orzo
(1/3 cup dry)
- 200 calories
- 7 grams Protein
- 41 g Carbohydrate
- 2 g Fiber
Source: Pasta LaBelle Orzo
Long Grain White Rice
(1/3 cup cooked)
- 68 calories
- 1.4 gram Protein
- 15 g Carbohydrate
- 1 g Fiber
Source: USDA
Long Grain Brown Rice
(1/3 cup cooked)
- 82 calories
- 1.8 grams Protein
- 17 g Carbohydrate
- 2 g Fiber
Source: USDA
This Cheesy Orzo Cranberry Carrot dish is inspired by my Home Made Carrot Raisin Brown Rice Recipe. My Cheesy Orzo recipe is simple, but is a very delicious side dish. It’s a complete meal and can be eaten as is or added as part of your Meatless Monday meal plan.
Cheesy Cranberry Carrot Orzo Pasta
Here are all the ingredients You Will Need.
Click on each ingredient for where to shop.
Cheesy Carrot Cranberry Orzo Pasta.
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Wooden Spoon
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Measuring Utensils
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups Orzo Pasta 1 box Pasta Labella Orzo
- 2 cups Vegetable Stock
- 1/2 cup Four Cheese Blend
- 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese
- 1/3 cup Canola or Olive Oil
- 2 cups Shredded Carrots
- 1/2 cup Diced Onions
- 2 tbsp. Chopped Garlic
- 1 tsp. Salt
- 1 tsp. Black Pepper
Instructions
- Use the grater to shred carrots.
- In a deep saucepan, pour the olive oil and allow to heat for 1 minute.
- To the heated oil, add the onion, garlic, black pepper, and stir. Allow to sweat for 2 minutes.
- Add the shredded carrots and dried cranberry to onion mixture and stir; allow to cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the dried orzo and stir into mixture.
- Pour in the vegetable stock and allow to bring to boil and allow to cook for 5 minutes or until the liquid evaporated.
- At halfway during the cooking process, Add the cheeses and mix well.
- Turn off flame and serve hot in a bowl.
Notes
Cheesy Carrot Cranberry Orzo Pasta
The sweetness of the carrot and the sweet-tartness of the cranberries combined with the nuttiness of the orzo creates a balance of texture and flavors.
Orzo and Stewed Fish
This orzo was served with this delicious Stewed Salmon. Check out my blog for other stewed recipes.
I'm Orzomatized
Check out my other tasty pasta dishes:
Ohhhh this is definitely something new to try and make. Thanks for sharing 👍
This the perfect side dish for a weeknight meal!! Yum!
I’ve never had Orzo before but this recipe sounds really good!
This looks like such a great combination of foods! Yum!
I actually thought it was rice, nice take on barley! Looks filling and easy to make.
This sounds really delicious, I’d have never thought of combining carrot and cranberry. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I love Orzo, my husband can’t eat barley so I don’t have it as much as I used to but I really want to try this recipe it sounds delicious!!
You will love it Belle. Hope you get to make my cranberry orzo. Thanks for the star rating.
This looks fire! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Adam
Orzo is so good and I feel like this recipe is perfect for the fall! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for dropping by Flawless World.
If it has cheese in the pasta, it’s approved. To keep, to try, and to taste at the end. Thanks for the recipe.
Thank you Last Guy On Earth. Appreciate the comment and star rating.
This looks amazing and I am putting this on our menu! Thank you for sharing. I look forward to more from you!
I have only recently become acquainted with orzo…and I LOVE it! I love how you incorporated carrots and crandberries into this recipe! Yum! Thanks for sharing!
This looks delicious and is made with ingredients I almost always have on hand!
What a great easy and tasty recipe. I love orzo and was happy to find this alternative take on it!
Thanks for dropping by, Dallas photographer. I appreciate the star rating.
Looks delicious!
Thank you Kirsten.
I love trying new and different recipes. This is a combination I’ve never tried before but it looks delicious! I’m going to add this to my list of side dishes. Thank you for sharing!
Jenna, the cranberry orzo pasta definitely tastes delicious; the flavors will surprize you.
making this for dinner ASAP
Thank you Christine for the comment and star rating. Hope you enjoy my Orzo pasta recipe.
First time to know about this and it looks so good. Love how it look after cooking it. I will try to make this one. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Fransic Verso
Love the nutrition comparison! This recipe is DELICIOUS!
Thank you Katie
all of your recipes make me hungry
Thank you Jimmy
This sounds delicious, i have only recently started cooking with orzo thanks for the recipe post
Thank you, Tianna. Appreciate the comment and star rating
This looks so yummy!
Thank you, Deanna.
This looks amazing. I absolutely love cranberries and this is a perfect idea to add them into a side item. Great post!
Thank you Debbie. Appreciate the comment and star rating.
Oh wow, that looks delicious 😍😍 can’t wait to try this 😎
Thank you Dusted Shades.
Carrots and cheese? Interesting combo. Must try this out in the kitchen.
It is a great-tasting combination Dominique. Thank you for visiting and rating my Carrot Cranberry Orzo pasta recipe.
This sounds yummy! And, as someone newly diagnosed with Alpha Gal Syndrome, a super annoying allergy to all mammalian meat due to a stinking tick bite, I love that I can eat this dish as is! Plus, it’s good to know that orzo is higher in protein than other pasta-like ingredients since I am now scrambling to get enough protein from other sources.
Thank you for dropping by Sage. Glad my post was helpful. See you soon
Wow this looks yummy and easy to make. I better check it out.
It’s definitely Yummy Lani. Thanks for dropping by.
Loved the combinations of flavors in this recipe. A keeper for sure!
Thank you, Vaishali.