Orzo, a small rice-shaped pasta, cooks relatively quickly – usually about 8 to 10 minutes until tender. When substituting orzo, cooking times can vary based on the type of substitute you choose:[custom_list][custom_list_item name="Other Small Pastas (e.g., acini di pepe, pastina)" description="Similar in size and texture to orzo, these usually cook within 6 to 10 minutes."][custom_list_item name="Rice" description="White rice takes longer to cook (about 15–20 minutes), while quick-cooking varieties like instant rice may be closer to orzo’s time. Brown rice requires even longer (30–45 minutes)."][custom_list_item name="Quinoa" description="Cooks in about 15 minutes, longer than orzo but still relatively quick."][custom_list_item name="Couscous" description="Instant couscous cooks very quickly, often in 5 minutes or less, much faster than orzo."][custom_list_item name="Barley" description="Pearl barley takes 25–30 minutes to cook, significantly longer than orzo."][/custom_list]Adjust your cooking method and timing based on the substitute to achieve the desired texture and avoid undercooked or mushy results.