Yes-I actually originally tested this recipe with white rice and it tastes amazing. However, I will admit I prefer the texture and consistency orzo gives this soup much better than rice. However, using white rice has the bonus of making this soup gluten-free. If using rice in place of pasta, just keep in mind the cooking time will need to be increased by about 5-10 minutes as white rice usually takes about 20 minutes to cook through. Also, you may need an extra cup of veggie broth for the best consistency as rice tends to absorb more liquid than orzo. If using a different pasta shape, just sub 1:1 and cook as directed.