10 Best Gluten Free Substitute For Orzo Pasta

Orzo pasta is everyone’s favorite, a commodity you get to find inside the kitchen of every home. The reason behind that is linked to its versatility, in the sense that it can be used in salads, soups, and hot sides.

However, there are days when you might be left disappointed by the grocery store in your neighborhood, and you might not be able to find the orzo pasta upon going there to purchase it. At such point in time, you might be left with no other option but to look towards the direction of some available substitute to try out and experiment with.

Well, if that is the case for you, below have been highlighted 10 of the very best gluten-free substitutes for orzo pasta.

10 Best Gluten Free Substitute For Orzo Pasta

1. Brown Rice

Brown rice, characterized by its earthy flavor and firm texture, Undoubtedly makes its way into the list as one of the nutritious gluten free substitute for orzo pasta, a type of rice that blends perfectly well with your salads, soups, or casserole dishes.

However, when it comes to being a gluten free substitute for orzo pasta, it might not work as expected with creamy pasta-type sauces, but rather cooking the rice separately, then proceeding to add your sauce and ingredients on top of the brown rice to serve.

2. White Rice

White rice is quite in contrast with the aforementioned brown rice texture-wise since it appears to be much softer than brown rice. However, that doesn’t stop it from being a versatile gluten free substitute for orzo pasta, with the reasons behind that not farfetched from its neutral taste.

As a gluten free substitute for orzo pasta, the biggest strength of the white rice comes out in full effect when it is being used together with flavourful sauces and stews, creating an appetizing dish that should be pleasing to your taste buds.

3. Couscous Rice

Couscous generally are originally sourced from semolina wheat and are characterized by their light and fluffy texture. It is considered to be an excellent gluten free substitute for orzo pasta as well, especially in salads, where it is known for absorbing flavors and providing a pleasant contrast in texture.

Unlike the aforementioned brown rice, the couscous blends perfectly well with creamy pasta dishes or saucy plates of food. Additional benefits include the fact that the couscous appears to be much smaller than orzo pasta, meaning it takes a small amount of time to cook.

Read also, 10 Best Rice Substitutes For Diabetes Patients

4. Quinoa Rice

Quinoa grains generally are a protein-packed grain that happens to be one of few nutritious gluten free substitute for orzo pasta out there, known for its nutty flavor and delicate texture, all of which make it blend perfectly well with salads and side dishes.

Unlike with the aforementioned couscous, quinoa grains don’t quite blend perfectly well with creamy pasta dishes or casseroles, but rather in Soups, salads, or cold dishes.

5. Cauliflower Rice

Cauliflower rice is generally sourced by grating or processing cauliflower, one of the gluten free substitute for orzo pasta you can ever find out there in the marketplaces known for its versatility.

It can be prepared the same way rice and pasta are prepared, especially when it comes to cooking it separately to be served alongside either salad, sauce, meat, or vegetables.

6. Broken Spaghetti

Broken spaghetti, just exactly as its name insinuates, is more like the remnants of pasta mishandling during production in the factory, one of the excellent choices of gluten free substitute for orzo pasta out there.

Though you don’t get to enjoy the benefits of using broken spaghetti together with salads, that doesn’t limit or stop the broken spaghetti from being an easy swap of a substitute for orzo pasta.

7. Conchiglie Pasta

Conchiglie pasta, oftentimes referred to as Miniature shells, is that option of a gluten free substitute for orzo pasta perceived to be everyone’s favorite because of its versatility in dishes. A pasta that works well with salads and casseroles.

In terms of its appearance, the conchiglie pasta appears to be larger than the orzo pasta, meaning you don’t get to have the same result as the case with orzo pasta, but that still doesn’t stop it from being an excellent gluten-free substitute for orzo pasta.

Read also, 10 Best Substitute For Minute Rice

8. Arborio Rice

Arborio rice, characterized by its silky texture, is of top recommendation for use in risottos, one of the flavourful options of gluten free substitute for orzo pasta. Known for its orzo starchy content, the arborio goes hand in hand with risottos and creamy dishes, guaranteeing you that rich and satisfying experience.

On the flip side, arborio rice blends perfectly well with casseroles and stews, though there are a few other persons who prefer using it for salads or colder dishes because of its creamier texture.

9. Corn

Corn kernels be it in its fresh or frozen, are known for one very thing, and that very thing is the fact that they bring sweetness and crunchiness to your dishes when being used as a gluten free substitute for orzo pasta, especially in salads and salsas, where they add both flavors and colors.

As a gluten-free substitute for orzo pasta, the corn kernels work perfectly well when served cold. However, there are also some rare instances where it also works in soups as well.

10. Wild Rice

Wild rice is one of the gluten-free substitutes for orzo pasta, characterized by its sweet, nutty taste and chewy texture. It is A nice option a substitute that can be used alongside cold salads, soups, or casseroles.

Bringing elegance to meals generally, you can never go wrong with choosing to stick with wild rice as a gluten-free substitute for orzo pasta. However, it is worth also noting that wild rice does bring that little touch of elegance to whatever meal it is being used inside.

Conclusion

Orzo pasta is mostly mistaken for rice due to its small, rice-like shape. Unknown to many, it is a form of pasta made from wheat flour. Orzo pasta generally is usually smaller and more compact than most pasta varieties and is oftentimes mistaken for large grains of rice.

There are plenty of gluten-free substitutes for orzo pasta to always rely upon on days where you just can’t seem to find or lay your hands on orzo pasta itself, most of these gluten-free substitute for orzo pasta interestingly enough happens to be different varieties of rice and grains, since the orzo pasta are identified as rice and grains because of their physical outlook.