Not to be confused with rice, orzo pasta, also known as risoni, is a short-cut pasta that looks like a grain of rice. Traditionally used in Italian recipes, orzo has grown in popularity over the last few years and is now used in a range of dishes, including pasta, salads and risotto-style dishes.
Orzo can be paired with creamy sauces, veggie sauces and salad dressings to create a light dish perfect for lunch or dinner.
Orzo is one of the easiest and quickest types of pasta to cook, and you can also cook it in a broth to elevate the flavour. Simply add your orzo to boiling water and cook for around 8-10 minutes or until the texture is cooked to your liking.
If you’re after a quick one pot pasta dish, then cook your orzo in your broth (use a smaller amount than in a saucepan) and cook for 8-10 minutes or until most of the liquid has gone. Then simply stir in your cream, Italian-style hard cheese and some sauce!
Here’s how to cook orzo to perfection:
Step 1: Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil with 1/2 tsp salt. Step 2: Add the orzo to your boiling water and cook for 8-10 minutes. Step 3: Once cooked, drain the orzo in a colander. Step 4: Return the pasta to the pan, drizzle with a little olive oil, and stir through to prevent it from sticking together.
Once you’re ready, combine the orzo with your sauce and other ingredients. Remember to save some of the pasta water when you drain the orzo, as it helps the sauce you use stick to the pasta when cooking.
Orzo was one of the most popular food trends on TikTok in 2023, with users exploring different flavour and ingredient variations. Whether you want to try the viral orzo pasta salad or orzo carbonara, TikTok has been the place inspiring new combinations of orzo recipes.
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