Bring color and flavor to your table with this easy and delicious Orzo Pesto Salad. Loaded with vibrant veggies, tangy pesto, and tender orzo pasta, this salad makes a perfect summer easy side dish that's both light and satisfying. Ready in just 25 minutes, it's great for a weeknight meal or a last-minute addition to your picnic or summer bbq on a hot summer day.
The taste of orzo pesto salad is an exquisite blend of earthy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors. The pesto sauce imparts a distinct, aromatic basil taste that is complemented by the flavor of feta cheese. Adding cherry tomatoes and fresh basil infuses a touch of sweetness, while the crunch of red onion enhances the textural complexity of this dish.
The texture of orzo pesto salad is both delicate and satisfying. Orzo, which resembles rice, binds the other ingredients together, offering a soft, chewy consistency mixed with the crunchy vegetables.
If you love summer salad recipes try these Easy Tuscan Bean Salad and Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
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Ingredients
You will need these simple ingredients to make this recipe pesto orzo pasta salad
- orzo pasta
- extra Virgin Olive oil
- basil Pesto Sauce (homemade pesto or store-bought pesto)
- grape tomatoes cut sliced into half ( or roma tomatoes diced)
- Red Onion diced
- crumbled feta
- salt
- black pepper
- chopped fresh basil leaves
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make this Orzo Pesto Salad
In a large bowl combine the cooled orzo, oil, pesto, chopped vegetables, feta cheese, salt, pepper, and basil. Gently toss everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed and coated in the pesto sauce.
You can serve this salad immediately at room temperature, or allow it to chill in the refrigerator for an hour or more to allow the flavors to fully meld together.
Variations
The pesto orzo salad recipe is a versatile dish that can be customized to fit a wide range of tastes and preferences. In addition to the suggested variations mentioned above, there are many other ingredients that can be added to this recipe to create a unique and delicious dish.
- One option is to add in some toasted pine nuts or walnuts for a crunchy texture and nutty flavor. You could also try adding in some sundried tomatoes and kalamata olives for a tangy flavor.
- For a more protein-packed salad, consider adding in cooked chickpeas, black beans or quinoa. These ingredients will add both texture and nutrition to the dish.
- If you're looking to add some extra fresh vegetables to your salad, try tossing in some fresh spinach, bell pepper, green onions and fresh cucumbers. These vegetables will provide a boost of vitamins and minerals as well as a fresh burst of flavor.
- If you're looking to add some extra depth to your pesto orzo salad, consider adding in some spices or herbs such as smoked paprika, cumin or oregano. These additions will add complexity and depth to the dish, taking it to the next level of deliciousness.
In conclusion, there are endless options when it comes to customizing this recipe. Whether you're looking to add more protein, greens, nuts or spices, this recipe is versatile enough to accommodate an array of ingredients and flavors. Get creative, have fun, and enjoy the delicious results
Equipment
- Large salad bowl
- Pot for cooking pasta
- Colander
- Chopping board
- Knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Storage
The salad will keep well in an airtight container for up to 3 days, so feel free to make it ahead of time for your next gathering.
FAQ
Enjoy your Orzo Pesto Salad alongside grilled meats or fish, as a light meal on its own, or as a delectable side dish at your next picnic or potluck.
Yes, you can use store-bought pesto sauce instead of homemade fresh pesto.
Feta cheese is traditionally used in a pesto orzo salad, but you could also experiment with other cheeses if you prefer. Try crumbled goat cheese, fresh mozzarella pearls, or even grated parmesan for a flavorful twist on the classic recipe.
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Orzo Pesto Salad
Equipment
- Large salad bowl
- Pot for cooking pasta
- Colander
- Chopping board
- Knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive oil
- ¼ cup basil Pesto Sauce homemade pesto or store-bought pesto
- 1 cup grape tomatoes cut sliced into half or roma tomatoes diced
- 1 small red onion diced
- ¼ cup feta crumble
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves chopped
Instructions
- In a large pot of water, cook the orzo pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Be careful not to overcook, as the orzo will continue to cook slightly as it cools down.
- While the orzo is cooking, prepare the vegetables by chopping the cherry tomatoes, red onion and basil. Crumble the feta with your hands into small pieces.
- Drain the cooked orzo pasta and rinse it under cold water in a colander until it's cooled. This will stop the cooking process and ensure your salad has the perfect pasta texture.
- In a large bowl combine the cooled orzo, oil, pesto, chopped vegetables, feta cheese, salt, pepper, and basil. Gently toss everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed and coated in the pesto sauce.
veenaazmanov
Love the combination of healthy veggies and pasta too. Perfect for a light Dinner option. Looks colorful and refreshing for the Summers.
Jenny Graves
We love pesto. And we love orzo. Why not combine the two? This orzo pesto salad is easy, versatile and delicious. It’s healthy too. Enjoy!
Ann
This sounds like a great salad to make for spring and summer! Excited to give it a try! Thanks for the recipe share!
Sophie
Hi Ann, I'm glad to hear that you're excited to give this orzo pesto salad recipe a try. It's perfect for spring and summer with its fresh and vibrant flavors, and it's also easy to make.
Jacqueline Debono
I make homemade pesto every summer and am always looking for ways to use it. This orzo pasta salad sounds so good. On my to make list!
Sophie
Hi Jacqueline,
That's great to hear! Homemade pesto is such a delicious and versatile ingredient, and this orzo pasta salad is a wonderful way to showcase it. I'm glad to hear that you're adding it to your "to make" list and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Dennis
My wife loves orzo and I don't use it enough. She loved your salad and told me I needed to make it next week when her friends visit.
Sophie
Hi Dennis, that's fantastic to hear! I'm so glad that your wife loved the orzo salad recipe and that she's excited for you to make it again when her friends visit. It's always great to have a recipe that is well-loved and can impress guests.
Tristin
We made this pasta dish for a light dinner with homemade pesto. It had great flavor, will be making it again.
Sophie
Homemade pesto can really take a dish to the next level with its fresh and vibrant taste!
Debbie
This is the best Orzo salad I have ever made. It is light and refreshing , it is something I will be making over and over.
Sophie
Hi Debbie, I'm glad this orzo salad recipe turned out to be the best one you have ever made and that it was light and refreshing. It's always great to have a go-to recipe that you can make over and over again and enjoy every time.
Laura Arteaga
Yum! Always had pasta pesto salads but never Orzo. Really enjoyed this recipe, gives such a different twist to the classic dish.
Sophie
Hi Laura, I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the orzo pesto salad recipe and that it gave a different twist to the classic pasta pesto salad. Orzo is a great alternative to regular pasta and can add a unique texture to dishes like this!
Hayley Dhanecha
We love orzo and salad, so this orzo pesto salad was welcomed by the family. Plenty of veggies and flavourful pesto made this salad so good!!
Sophie
Hi Hayley, I'm so happy to hear that your family enjoyed the orzo pesto salad and that it was a hit. It's great to have a dish that combines delicious and nutritious veggies with the satisfying texture of orzo pasta. The flavorful pesto really ties it all together.