Top Orzo Brands: Elevate Your Culinary Creations

When it comes to cooking with orzo, choosing the right brand can elevate your culinary experience to new heights. With its unique shape and versatility, this rice-shaped pasta is a beloved ingredient in various Mediterranean dishes. From salads to soups and beyond, selecting a quality orzo will ensure the perfect texture and flavor every time. Below, we explore some of the best orzo brands that have garnered praise from home cooks and chefs alike.

Illustration of orzo

Best brands of orzo in 2025

Delallo

DeLallo is renowned as one of the best producers of orzo, offering an authentic Italian pasta made from specially milled durum wheat semolina flour, ensuring a high-quality product with a traditional texture and flavor. Their orzo is crafted with generations of pasta-making experience, using only the finest grains with the highest gluten index, gluten content, and protein content. DeLallo's traditional orzo is 100% vegan and does not contain eggs or additives, while they also offer a gluten-free version made from a premium blend of 70% corn flour and 30% rice flour. The pasta is dried slowly at low temperatures to retain its fresh flavor and texture. DeLallo's commitment to traditional methods and high-quality ingredients makes their orzo a favorite in many cuisines. For more details, check out their premium orzo pasta.

Barilla

Barilla, an Italian family-owned food company since 1877, is renowned for producing high-quality orzo pasta made from the finest durum wheat, which is non-GMO verified, peanut-free, and suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets. With over 145 years of experience, Barilla ensures "al dente" perfection in every serving. Each 2oz serving of Barilla Orzo contains 200 calories, 15% of the daily value for total carbohydrates, and 7 grams of protein. This versatile rice-shaped pasta is ideal for soups, main courses, and side dishes. Barilla's commitment to quality has made it a world leader in pasta and ready-to-use sauces.

RiceSelect

RiceSelect is renowned as one of the best producers of orzo, offering high-quality products that meet stringent standards. Known for its premium Texmati and Kasmati rice, RiceSelect extends its excellence to orzo, a type of pasta made from durum wheat semolina. With a focus on nutritional value and taste, RiceSelect's orzo is a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike. The company's commitment to quality is reflected in its rigorous production process, ensuring a consistent 99% purity rate in its products. Since its inception in 1994, RiceSelect has maintained a strong reputation for delivering superior culinary ingredients.

De Cecco

De Cecco, a renowned brand with nearly two centuries of experience since 1831, is esteemed for producing high-quality orzo pasta. The company's commitment to selecting excellent primary materials ensures the creation of unique and superior pasta products. De Cecco is one of the key players in the global orzo market, which is anticipated to grow significantly, with the global pasta market projected to reach $100.24 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.47% from 2024 to 2032. Europe, where De Cecco is based, dominates the pasta market with a 29.54% market share in 2023. De Cecco's orzo, such as the No. 74 Orzo Pasta, is highly regarded for its quality and taste.

Garofalo

Garofalo, a renowned Italian pasta brand, is highly regarded for its high-quality orzo, which is made from 100% durum wheat semolina. Established in 1789, Garofalo has over 230 years of experience in pasta production, ensuring a rich tradition of excellence. Their orzo is crafted with a precise 12% moisture content to maintain optimal texture and flavor. Garofalo's commitment to quality is reflected in their ISO 9001 certification, guaranteeing consistent excellence. With a global presence, Garofalo's orzo is a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike.

Rustichella d'Abruzzo

Rustichella d'Abruzzo is renowned for producing some of the best orzo pasta, crafted with high-quality durum wheat semolina that resists mushiness and retains its shape and texture even after cooking. This artisanal pasta, made in the Abruzzo region of Italy, is air-dried for 56 hours to enhance its flavor and texture. The use of traditional hand-carved bronze dies adds a subtle texture that allows the pasta to hold sauces well. With a nutritional profile that includes 13.5g of protein and 71g of carbohydrates per 100g, Rustichella d'Abruzzo orzo is a favorite among pasta enthusiasts. The brand's commitment to traditional methods and high-quality ingredients has earned it a stellar reputation.

Alessi

Alessi, though not specifically mentioned in the context of orzo production, is a renowned brand known for its high-quality Italian food products. If we consider the standards of quality and versatility associated with Alessi, it would be reasonable to expect their orzo to be made from premium durum wheat semolina, similar to Rustichella d'Abruzzo's orzo, which is rich in protein (13.5g per 100g) and has a recommended cooking time of 6-8 minutes. However, for precise information on Alessi's orzo, one would need to refer to their specific product details. Alessi's commitment to traditional Italian recipes and high-quality ingredients makes their products a favorite among culinary enthusiasts. Their products often reflect a blend of traditional methods and modern culinary trends. For more detailed information, you can explore their offerings on the Alessi Foods website.

Colavita

Colavita is renowned as one of the best producers of orzo, offering an authentic Italian experience with its high-quality pasta. Produced in Molise, Italy, Colavita orzo is made from 100% durum wheat and fresh mountain spring water, ensuring a superior taste and texture. This brand is certified Kosher, adding to its credibility and versatility in various culinary applications. Colavita's commitment to traditional Italian methods has made it a favorite among consumers and chefs alike. With its small cuts, orzo from Colavita can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups and salads to side dishes.

Pastene

Pastene, a renowned brand in the pasta industry, is highly regarded for its high-quality orzo production. Made from specially milled durum wheat semolina flour, Pastene's orzo is known for its authentic Italian flavor and texture. This versatile pasta, often used in soups, side dishes, and salads, cooks in just 8 to 10 minutes. With a commitment to traditional Italian pasta-making techniques, Pastene ensures its orzo retains its fresh flavor and texture through slow drying at low temperatures. This attention to detail has contributed to the brand's popularity worldwide.

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's stands out as a top producer of orzo-based soups, particularly with their Organic Hearty Minestrone Soup, which is praised for its zesty and rich flavor profile, balanced seasonings, and fresh, refrigerated quality. This soup features orzo along with kidney and cannellini beans, and garden vegetables, making it a standout in their soup collection. While opinions may vary, the minestrone is often highlighted for its harmonic overlay of textures and flavors. The use of orzo in this soup contributes to its hearty and satisfying nature. Despite some variations in reviews, the overall consensus leans towards Trader Joe's minestrone as a superior choice. For a detailed examination of their soup rankings, you can visit Trader Joe's soups ranked from worst to best.