Quick Lemon Orzo Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is orzo healthier than pasta? ›

Is pasta or orzo healthier? Orzo is rice-shaped pasta. Although its appearance resembles grains of rice, orzo is actually made from a specific type of flour called semolina. Since orzo is a type of pasta, the health benefits of orzo and pasta made from the same ingredients are the same.

Orzo can also be cooked like rice with a two-to-one ratio of water to dried pasta; the result will be creamier since all the starch of the pasta will be retained, not poured off with the cooking water. The best part? Your cooking time will be about half of what it takes to make a pot of white rice.

Generally it is 1 cup of uncooked orzo to 2 cups of water or broth. There is typically liquid left over after cooking that needs to be drained before using.

1 cup raw orzo (about 6 oz) will give you about 2 cups cooked. If you want a slightly creamier result, orzo can be cooked as you would rice. Boil 1/2 cups water for each cup orzo.

Orzo and asparagus are low-glycemic foods, making this recipe great for those who need to control their blood sugar.

Test Kitchen Tip. Rinse the orzo only if it will be baked or served cool in a salad. Otherwise, do not rinse; rinsing removes a light coating of starch that helps sauces and seasonings cling to the pasta.

You can measure out orzo and should plan on about 1/4 cup (or 2 ounces) dry pasta per person. Orzo will more than double in size when cooked so don't worry, there will be enough.

Do not overcook it. If there's ever been the need to cook pasta al dente, orzo makes the case because if it's overcooked, it turns to mush. Most brands say to cook the pasta for 9 to 10 minutes, but edit this back to about seven minutes and keep testing until it's just barely done.

Orzo and rice are not exact substitutions. Their differing textures ensure that your final dish will have a different quality if you substitute one for the other. You'll also find that the cooking times and temperatures for each vary widely. Orzo has a creamier and softer texture than rice.

Can you freeze orzo? ›

Leftovers & reheating orzo pasta

Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat fully before serving. In the freezer Orzo is always at its best when cooked and eaten immediately, but it could be frozen if you have leftovers at a push.

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and then stir in orzo. Cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally to keep orzo from clumping.

Orzo is a type of pasta that's similar to rice in shape, size, and texture. Whole-wheat orzo packs more fiber and protein than regular orzo, which makes it the healthier choice. Still, it's fairly high in calories, providing about 50% more calories than an equal serving of white rice.

Orzo. You get a little less orzo in a portion size because of its small, rice-like shape. Two ounces dry pasta is equal to 1/3 cup dry pasta. When boiled, that comes out to be 4/5 cup cooked pasta, or just shy of 1 cup.

For types that aren't long like spaghetti, two cups of water should do. For longer types, four cups of water should be enough, though I've done Asian-style noodles with two cups using a frying pan (it's wide enough to let me see what I'm doing when boiling the noodles).

Orzo has high carbs, so it's not good for a strict low-carb diet. But you can still have it occasionally if you're not too strict with carb intake.

What is a healthy substitute for orzo? Cauliflower rice, corn, quinoa, pearl barley, buckwheat, and couscous are all great healthy substitutes for orzo. Lentils and wild rice are also really healthy and good replacements.

Orzo is made from wheat, which is considered a high FODMAP grain due to its fructans content. Fructans are a type of oligosaccharide that can be difficult to digest for individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Therefore, traditional orzo made from wheat is not suitable for a low FODMAP diet.