Lebanese Orzo Rice (Under 30 Minutes)

5 from 2 votes

Lebanese Orzo Rice (Under 30 Minutes)

This Lebanese rice and orzo pasta recipe is easy to make and delicious. Plus, you can make this tasty side dish recipe in under 20 minutes.

Prep Time5

Cook Time18

Total Time23

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 432kcal

Author: Sarah Thomas-Drawbaugh

Equipment

3 quart pot with lid

Ingredients

Orzo Pasta and Rice

1 stick salted butter 1/2 cup
1 cup orzo pasta uncooked, Delallo brand
1.5 cups white rice uncooked, Uncle Ben's brand
3.75 cups water this equals 3 + 3/4 cups
pinch kosher salt

Cacio e Pepe Variation

½ cup grated parmesan cheese fold the cheese into the cooked pasta
cracked black pepper to taste, fold into the cooked pasta

Instructions

Melt the Butter

Place a 3-quart pot over medium heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

Lightly Brown the Orzo

Once the butter is melted, add the orzo pasta. Stir occasionally until the orzo is a light golden-brown color and the butter has a foam-like texture. It will be bubbling.

Add the Long Grain White Rice, Water and Kosher Salt

Next, add the long grain white rice, water and pinch of kosher salt. Stir well. Scrape any pieces from the bottom. Bring to a boil.
Once boiling, cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low / simmer. Simmer for 18-20 minutes undisturbed or until the pasta is tender and the rice is cooked through.
Remove the rice from heat. Uncover the pot and lay a dry, clean towel over the top of the pot. Place the lid back on and let the rice rest for 10-15 minutes. Fluff using a fork and serve hot.

Notes

*If making the Cacio-e-Pepe variations, stir ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese into the cooked orzo rice. Then, add a few turns of cracked black pepper to taste. Top with more shaved parmesan cheese, and enjoy!

Store and Reheat:

Allow the rice to fully cool before transferring it to an airtight container. To quickly cool orzo rice, spread it out evenly over a parchment-lined baking sheet. Then, set it aside, and let it cool to room temperature.
Once it’s safely cooled and stored in an airtight container, orzo rice will last 4-6 days in the refrigerator.
Only reheat rice one serving at a time. Reheating and cooling rice multiple times can introduce harmful bacteria, possibly leading to Reheated Rice Syndrome.
To safely reheat, add a splash of water to a microwave-safe bowl, add the orzo

Nutrition