OneTaskBy Tim King · Updated
Pasta Portion Calculator
How Much Pasta, Rice, Couscous or Quinoa per Person
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How the Pasta and Rice Portion Calculator works
This pasta portion calculator tells you how much dried or fresh pasta, rice, couscous, quinoa or egg noodles to cook for any number of people. Choose side, main or big appetite to get the uncooked weight, the cooked weight, the water and the cooking time.
How the pasta portion calculator works
The formula is grams per person times the number of people. The per-person figures are the ones used on pack labels and by food agencies: 75 to 90 g of dried pasta for a main course and 75 g of uncooked rice, with smaller amounts for a side and larger ones for hungry eaters. Grains swell as they absorb water, so each food also has a cooked multiplier, about 2.25 for dried pasta and 2.6 for white rice.
First example. Dried pasta for 4 people as a main meal: 4 × 90 g = 360 g, about 12.7 oz. It cooks to roughly 810 g. Boil it in 4 litres of water with 40 g of salt.
Second example. White rice as a side for 6: 6 × 45 g = 270 g, which is about 1½ US cups. Cook it by absorption in 518 ml of water, 1.5 times its volume, for 12 to 15 minutes, then leave it covered off the heat for 10 minutes.
How many litres of water does pasta need? The classic rule is 1 litre per 100 g with 10 g of salt per litre. The page never goes below 2 litres so the pot comes back to the boil quickly. You can use less water if you stir often; the starchier water helps sauces cling.
Uncooked amounts per person, and for four people, by food and appetite
| Food | Appetite | Per person | For 4 people | Cooked weight for 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dried pasta | Side dish | 50 g | 200 g (7.1 oz) | 450 g |
| Dried pasta | Main meal | 90 g | 360 g (12.7 oz) | 810 g |
| Dried pasta | Big appetite | 125 g | 500 g (17.6 oz) | 1125 g |
| Fresh pasta | Side dish | 75 g | 300 g (10.6 oz) | 390 g |
| Fresh pasta | Main meal | 125 g | 500 g (17.6 oz) | 650 g |
| Fresh pasta | Big appetite | 150 g | 600 g (21.2 oz) | 780 g |
| White rice | Side dish | 45 g | 180 g (6.3 oz) | 468 g |
| White rice | Main meal | 75 g | 300 g (10.6 oz) | 780 g |
| White rice | Big appetite | 100 g | 400 g (14.1 oz) | 1040 g |
| Brown rice | Side dish | 45 g | 180 g (6.3 oz) | 450 g |
| Brown rice | Main meal | 75 g | 300 g (10.6 oz) | 750 g |
| Brown rice | Big appetite | 100 g | 400 g (14.1 oz) | 1000 g |
| Couscous | Side dish | 45 g | 180 g (6.3 oz) | 432 g |
| Couscous | Main meal | 70 g | 280 g (9.9 oz) | 672 g |
| Couscous | Big appetite | 90 g | 360 g (12.7 oz) | 864 g |
| Quinoa | Side dish | 40 g | 160 g (5.6 oz) | 432 g |
| Quinoa | Main meal | 65 g | 260 g (9.2 oz) | 702 g |
| Quinoa | Big appetite | 85 g | 340 g (12.0 oz) | 918 g |
| Dried egg noodles | Side dish | 40 g | 160 g (5.6 oz) | 320 g |
| Dried egg noodles | Main meal | 75 g | 300 g (10.6 oz) | 600 g |
| Dried egg noodles | Big appetite | 100 g | 400 g (14.1 oz) | 800 g |
Tips
Cups are US cups of 236.6 ml, weighed for each grain: a cup of uncooked long-grain rice is about 185 g. Weigh rather than scoop for consistent results. Fresh pasta already holds water, which is why it needs more by weight and swells less. Leftover rice should be cooled within an hour and kept in the fridge for no more than a day.
FAQ
How much pasta per person?
75 to 100 g of dried pasta for a main course, with 90 g a good middle figure, and about 50 g as a side or starter. For fresh pasta allow 125 g for a main. A 500 g pack of dried pasta feeds 5 or 6 people.
How much rice per person?
About 75 g of uncooked rice, a scant half cup, for a main with a curry or stir-fry, and 45 to 50 g as a side. It roughly triples in volume and gains 2.5 times its weight once cooked.
What is the water ratio for rice?
1.5 parts water to 1 part white rice by volume for the absorption method, and 2 to 1 for brown rice and quinoa. Basmati rinsed and soaked first can take a little less. Jasmine and sushi rice need close to 1.25 to 1.
How much does pasta weigh when cooked?
Dried pasta weighs about 2.25 times as much after cooking, so 100 g dried becomes about 225 g. Fresh pasta gains less, about 30 percent. Nutrition labels quote dried weight unless they say otherwise.
How much couscous per person?
About 70 g dry for a main and 45 g as a side. Pour 1¼ times its volume of boiling water or stock over it, cover for 5 minutes and fluff with a fork.
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