Italian Style Pesto and Orzo Salad
Italian Style Pesto and Orzo Salad is a refreshing dish that brings together the delightful flavors of Italy. It’s packed with fresh ingredients and topped with delicious pesto sauce. This salad is not only easy to make but also perfect for gatherings, picnics, or a light lunch.
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe is a great choice because it combines the tasty flavors of orzo, fresh vegetables, and rich pesto. It’s healthy, colorful, and satisfying. Whether you’re a busy parent looking for a quick meal or someone who loves to cook, this salad is a winner. Plus, it can be served as a main dish or a side dish, making it versatile for any occasion.
How to Make Italian Style Pesto and Orzo Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup baby arugula (or spinach)
- 1/2 cup Kalamata or black olives, halved
- 1/2 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Cook the orzo pasta according to the package instructions. After cooking, drain and rinse the pasta under cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, baby arugula, olives, and mozzarella pearls.
- Add the pesto sauce into the bowl and mix well until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
How to Serve Italian Style Pesto and Orzo Salad
You can serve this salad as a main dish or as a side dish for any meal. It’s great for summer barbeques or family dinners. For an extra touch, garnish the salad with more fresh basil or pine nuts.
How to Store Italian Style Pesto and Orzo Salad
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 2 to 3 days. If you find that the salad looks a little dry after storing, you can add a splash of olive oil or a bit more pesto before serving.
Tips to Make Italian Style Pesto and Orzo Salad
- Make sure to rinse the orzo after cooking to stop the cooking process and keep it from getting sticky.
- Feel free to customize this salad with other ingredients like bell peppers, carrots, or chickpeas for added texture and flavor.
- If you want to make it a bit heartier, you can add cooked chicken or tuna.
Variation
You can easily switch out the mozzarella for feta cheese for a different taste. Additionally, using different types of pesto, such as sun-dried tomato pesto, can give a new flavor profile.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can substitute orzo with other small pasta shapes like couscous, small shells, or ditalini.
2. Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This salad keeps well in the fridge and is perfect for meal prep. Just keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat.
3. Can I make this salad vegan?
Yes! You can skip the cheese or use vegan cheese and make sure your pesto is also vegan.
Italian Style Pesto and Orzo Salad
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing salad featuring orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, and a rich pesto sauce, perfect for gatherings and light lunches.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup baby arugula (or spinach)
- 1/2 cup Kalamata or black olives, halved
- 1/2 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the orzo pasta according to the package instructions. After cooking, drain and rinse the pasta under cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, baby arugula, olives, and mozzarella pearls.
- Add the pesto sauce into the bowl and mix well until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, garnish the salad with fresh basil or pine nuts. This salad is great for summer barbeques or family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: pesto salad, orzo recipe, Italian salad, healthy salad, quick meal