Instant Pot Cheesy orzo is one of the easiest and most delicious meals you can make. Orzo pasta cooks fast, and this dish is perfect for busy weeknights, lazy weekends, or any time you want comfort food without a ton of work.
Let’s start with the magic ofOrzo. This tiny pasta works well for this dish because it absorbs flavor quickly and creates the creamiest texture when paired with broth, garlic, and cheese. Unlike larger pasta shapes that can take longer to cook or require extra effort to coat in sauce, Orzo practically becomes one with the sauce, making every bite luscious and flavorful. Orzo looks like rice but is a tiny pasta shape.
I love cooking pasta in my Instant Pot because it’s just one pot. This means fewer dishes. Instant Pot orzo cooks in 4 minutes, and with very little prep time, the total time for this dinner is less than 12 minutes.
Ingredients Needed
1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
16 ounces orzo
3 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 can Carnation evaporated milk
1 cup water
1½ cups sharp cheddar shredded cheese – you can use cheddar or a combination of cheeses.
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional garnish: fresh parsley or chives, chopped
Additional Ingredients: You can add your favorite veggies or protein. Chicken, shrimp, beans, sausage, ground beef, or pork would taste great with this meal. Adding your favorite vegetables, broccoli, peas, mushroom, spinach, asparagus, or green onions would taste great with this meal!
Equipment
Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker
Cheese Shredder
Instructions:
1. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add the olive oil or butter and let it melt.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add the orzOrzod toast for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
4. Turn off the Sauté mode. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, evaporated milk, and water. Stir well to combine, ensuring no orzo sticks to the bottom of the pot.
5. Secure the lid of your Instant Pot and set the valve to the Sealing position.
6. Pressure Cook on High Pressure or manual for 4 minutes.
7. Once the cooking time is complete, carefully turn the valve to venting to allow for a quick release.
8. Open the lid and immediately stir in the shredded cheese. Mix until the cheese is melted and the orzOrzo creamy.
9. Serve hot.
Storage: You can store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to five days. I don’t recommend storing the leftovers in the freezer.

Instant Pot Cheesy Orzo
Instant Pot Cheesy orzo is easy and delicious. Orzo pasta cooks fast, and this dish is perfect for busy weeknights and lazy weekends.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 2 tsp Minced garlic
- 16 ounces Orzo
- 3 cups Chicken broth
- 1 12 ounces can evaporated milk You can also use 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup water
- 1.5 cups shredded cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add the olive oil or butter and let it melt.
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Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Add the Orzo and toast for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
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Turn off the Sauté mode. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth, evaporated milk, and water. Stir well to combine, ensuring no orzo sticks to the bottom of the pot.
-
Secure the lid of your Instant Pot and set the valve to the Sealing position.
-
Pressure Cook on High Pressure or manual for 4 minutes.
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Once the cooking time is complete, carefully turn the valve to venting to allow for a quick release.
-
Open the lid and immediately stir in the shredded cheese. Mix until the cheese is melted and the Orzo creamy.
-
Serve hot.
If you want something easy, delicious, and versatile, make this one-pot garlicky cheesy Orzo! It’s like a warm hug in a bowl.
If you like this recipe, you should also try:
Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie Risotto
Head over to check out more free recipes.
Did you make this cheesy orzo recipe? I would love to hear how it turned out for you! Did you make this as a main dish or a side dish? Please comment below this blog post or contact me on social media and let me know how this turned out for you! You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.