4.60 from 5 votes

Orzo Pudding

Pasta for dessert? Yes! Orzo Pudding is a sweet twist on rice pudding with the same creamy texture and warm cinnamon flavour. 

Orzo pudding in parfait dishes.


I bought some orzo for a soup recipe I was planning to make earlier this year and then never got around to making it. The orzo was sitting there in my pantry and I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do with it yet. It was when I was going through some boxes in the basement that I uncovered some old recipes that I’d clipped from newspapers and magazines years ago.

In there was a recipe for orzo pudding. It said if you liked rice pudding, you should try orzo pudding. I adore rice pudding and thought why not give this one a try. I had all the ingredients on hand!

If you like raisins, add some in at the end of cooking. Neither my kids nor John like raisins so I left them out. I also sprinkled a dash of cinnamon on top of each dish for presentation.

Get our FREE
e-cookbook

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

    This recipe tastes just like rice pudding! The only thing that is a little different is the texture of the orzo. I never thought I’d eat pasta for dessert, but I guess there’s a first time for everything.

    Creamy Orzo Pudding is the perfect comfort food. 

    Orzo pudding in a parfait dish.

    Why You’ll Love Orzo Pudding

    • Tastes very similar to classic rice pudding
    • Creamy texture
    • Versatile recipe
    • Few ingredients
    • Easy-to-make dessert recipe

    Ingredients

    • Orzo – Small pasta shaped like rice.
    • Milk – For a Caribbean or Thai-inspired twist, replace regular milk with canned coconut milk. 
    • Eggs
    • Sugar 
    • Salt
    • Cinnamon
    • Vanilla extract
    Orzo pudding topped with whipped cream in a parfait dish.

    How to Make Orzo Pudding

    • Step One: Heat orzo and milk in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
    • Step Two: Once simmering, reduce heat to medium-low and stir occasionally for 15 minutes, or until orzo is cooked.
    • Step Three: In a bowl, whisk the egg yolk, egg, sugar and salt.
    • Step Four: Slowly whisk the egg mixture into the orzo mixture and heat over medium-low stirring constantly until the mixture starts to thicken.
    • Step Five: Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and cinnamon. Can be served warm or chilled. 

    Equipment Needed

    This post contains affiliate links.

    What to Serve with Orzo Pudding

    Orzo Pudding, also known as Dessert Risotto, is the perfect sweet ending to any meal – especially these classics. 

    Orzo pudding in a parfait dish.

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    • If the rice mixture doesn’t seem to be thickening, don’t worry. Just keep at a medium heat, and keep stirring until you’ve reached the desired consistency. It will also thicken slightly more if it is chilled.
    • If the pudding consistency is a little too thick, you can cut it down with a little milk or water.
    • If serving cold, before placing in the refrigerator, press a piece of plastic wrap over the pudding to prevent a skin from forming.

    Variations and Substitutions

    Classic orzo or rice pudding is made using sugar for sweetening with cinnamon and vanilla for flavoring, but it can be flavored with an array of different mix-ins or toppings.

    • Fresh fruit
    • Chocolate
    • Pumpkin spice
    • Orange zest
    • Dollop of whipped cream
    • Crushed cookies
    • Raisins

    Storage Instructions

    The pudding should be cooled completely, then stored in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

    Can I Freeze?

    While not ideal, yes. It can be frozen for up to 3 months, if stored in an airtight container. However, you may notice a change in texture. Let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight.

    Orzo pudding topped with whipped cream in a parfait dish with a spoon.

    What is Orzo?

    More about orzo, if this is your first time cooking the thin, oval, rice-shaped pasta made from whole wheat flour, semolina flour, white flour, or whole grain flour. It is shaped like rice, and is the perfect substitution for rice in many recipes. Orzo is an Italian staple and is typically used in recipes for soups, side dishes, and salads. 

    Can this pudding be made in advance?

    Orzo Pudding is really best served warm or cooled on the day it is made. However, you may prepare it up to 1-2 days in advance. Serve chilled or gently warm in the microwave or on the stove top, adding additional milk if necessary. 

    More Pudding Recipes

    Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

    If you make the recipe, rate it on the recipe card below and tag me on Instagram and use #simplystacie. I like sharing the photos on my Instagram stories!

    4.60 from 5 votes

    Orzo Pudding

    Created by Stacie Vaughan
    Servings 4
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Pasta for dessert? Yes! This is a sweet twist on rice pudding with the same creamy texture and warm cinnamon flavour.

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup orzo uncooked
    • 3 ½ cups milk
    • 1 egg yolk
    • 1 large egg
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • 1 tsp cinnamon plus extra for garnish
    • 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Heat orzo and milk in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
    • Once simmering, reduce heat to medium-low and stir occasionally for 15 minutes, or until orzo is cooked.
    • In a bowl, whisk the egg yolk, egg, sugar and salt.
    • Slowly whisk the egg mixture into the orzo mixture and heat over medium-low stirring constantly until the mixture starts to thicken.
    • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and cinnamon.
    • Can be served warm or chilled.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 452kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 256mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 38g

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Course Desserts
    Cuisine American
    Keyword Orzo Pudding

    Did you make this recipe?

    I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.

    Want Even More Recipes?

    Join Moms Best Recipes to find more delicious family recipes.


    The Best of Simply Stacie ebook cover.

    free ebook!

    The Best of Simply Stacie

    When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!

    Leave a Reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    50 Comments

    1. Prior to this post, I did not know what Orzo was! But seeeing that I LOVE rice pudding, I am thinking that i need to get my hands on some orzo for this! Yum!

    2. never heard of orzo – had to google it

    3. kristen visser says:

      i would love to try this out. i have never heard or tried this before but it looks absolutely delicious!

    4. Linda Klages says:

      never used orzo but this looks good

    5. Maria Medeiros says:

      This looks delicious!

    6. Your recipe looks fabulous. Would be honored if you would stop by and share at Foodie Fridays this week. The party starts on Thursday 9 pm EST. Hope to see you there. (coming from Treasure Box Tuesday)
      Blessings,
      Shari

    7. Mark Cook says:

      i like this pudding warmed up.

    8. kathy downey says:

      This looks so very good.

    9. This is really clever!
      I have a fondness for orzo. When my son was little, it was his favorite pasta. Only he had a hard time saying orzo. He always called it “pasta shaped like rice.” As if that’s easier to say!
      Thank you for linking with See ya in the Gumbo this week.

    Similar Posts