**Orzo Salad: A Refreshing and Versatile Summer Dish**
Orzo salad is a refreshing and versatile dish that is perfect for summer potlucks, picnics, or light lunches. Made with small rice-shaped pasta, orzo, this salad is tossed with a variety of fresh vegetables, herbs, and a tangy dressing. The result is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is both light and filling. This article features three delicious orzo salad recipes, each with its own unique flavor profile. The first recipe is a classic orzo salad with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and feta cheese. The second recipe adds grilled chicken for a protein-packed meal. And the third recipe is a vegetarian orzo salad with roasted vegetables and a creamy avocado dressing. With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find an orzo salad recipe that you'll love.
ORZO SALAD
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories side-dish
Time 40m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Pour the broth into a heavy large saucepan. Cover the pan and bring the broth to a boil over high heat. Stir in the orzo. Cover partially and cook until the orzo is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes. Drain the orzo through a strainer. Transfer the orzo to a large wide bowl and toss until the orzo cools slightly. Set aside to cool completely.
- Toss the orzo with the beans, tomatoes, onion, basil, mint, and enough vinaigrette to coat. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve at room temperature.
- Mix the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if desired.
- Yield: 1 3/4 cups
MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD
This light and refreshing cold pasta salad is loaded with the flavors of the Mediterranean, and pairs well with grilled proteins, such as fish, pork, chicken or steak. If you make this in advance, reserve a bit of the dressing to add right before serving, as the pasta has a tendency to soak up the dressing as it sits over time.
Provided by Kim's Cooking Now
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 55m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 9 minutes. Drain well. Rinse with cold water and drain well again.
- Combine orzo, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, olives, and Asiago cheese in a large bowl.
- Whisk garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl to make the vinaigrette. Drizzle over the orzo mixture and toss lightly to combine. Add basil and parsley and mix well. Let sit for 20 minutes for flavors to blend, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 418.2 calories, Carbohydrate 34.7 g, Cholesterol 16.1 mg, Fat 27 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 10.5 g, SaturatedFat 6.3 g, Sodium 819 mg, Sugar 2.6 g
GREEK ORZO SALAD
A delicious, colorful salad, with artichoke hearts and feta. I receive a lot of requests for this one.
Provided by Patrice
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 1h20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Drain artichoke hearts, reserving liquid.
- In large bowl combine pasta, artichoke hearts, tomato, cucumber, onion, feta, olives, parsley, lemon juice, oregano and lemon pepper. Toss and chill for 1 hour in refrigerator.
- Just before serving, drizzle reserved artichoke marinade over salad.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 325.8 calories, Carbohydrate 48.7 g, Cholesterol 22.3 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Fiber 4.8 g, Protein 13.1 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 615.2 mg, Sugar 4.5 g
GREEK ORZO SALAD
Tart and refreshing, this side salad is a big hit at Judy Roberts' Las Vegas, Nevada home. With all the tasty toppings-including red onion, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese and a zesty dressing-you'd never know it has just 7 grams of fat. "Tiny pasta called orzo gives it extra interest," Judy notes.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 15m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cook orzo according to package directions; drain. In a large serving bowl, toss orzo with 2 teaspoons oil. , In another bowl, combine the onion, parsley, vinegar, oregano, salt, sugar, pepper and remaining oil; pour over orzo and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2-24 hours. Just before serving, gently stir in tomatoes, cucumber, olives and cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 120 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 498mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
ITALIAN ORZO SALAD
This light pasta salad is an ideal summer side dish for any potluck or picnic. It's also great for a weeknight dinner. -Cindy Springsteen, Denver, Colorado
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil; add pasta. Return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, until pasta is tender, 10-12 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper., In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, basil, onions and spinach. Drain pasta; add to tomato mixture. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat. Chill until serving., Just before serving, stir in cheese and pine nuts.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 288 calories, Fat 12g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 11mg cholesterol, Sodium 630mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 10g protein.
SHRIMP AND ORZO SALAD
There are so many shapes of pasta out there. One of my favorites is orzo: rice-shaped pasta. I do not see it used as often as its more popular relatives like spaghetti, penne, linguine et al, which is a shame. I love the fact that orzo can be treated like rice and used to make tomato-based (jollof) or stir-fried dishes. It can be creamy like a risotto or made like rice and served with a stew or sauce. Here I use it to make a cold salad with shrimp and sweet cherry tomatoes. Use a lot of garden-fresh herbs to elevate this salad and feel free to add more vegetables if you want.
Provided by Uzo Orimalade
Categories Salad Seafood Salad Recipes Shrimp Salad Recipes
Time 2h45m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add shrimp and seasoning; cook until shrimp are bright pink on the outside and meat is opaque, about 5 minutes. Remove shrimp from the water and set aside in a bowl.
- Pour orzo into the seasoned water and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain and add to the bowl with shrimp. Store in the refrigerator to cool.
- Combine mayonnaise, dill, parsley, basil, mustard, lemon juice, salt, and white pepper together in a bowl. Mix well. Taste and adjust if needed.
- Remove shrimp and orzo from the refrigerator. Add cherry tomatoes and dressing; stir well. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 177.4 calories, Carbohydrate 21.5 g, Cholesterol 96.9 mg, Fat 3.9 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 14.2 g, SaturatedFat 0.7 g, Sodium 876.6 mg, Sugar 1.1 g
GREEK ORZO AND GRILLED SHRIMP SALAD WITH MUSTARD-DILL VINAIGRETTE
Steps:
- Combine orzo, cucumber, green onions, and tomatoes in a large bowl. Place dill, vinegar, and mustard in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil and blend until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour the vinaigrette over the orzo mixture and stir well to combine. Gently fold in the feta cheese.
- Heat grill to high. Brush shrimp with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill for approximately 2 minutes per side or until just cooked through. Divide orzo salad among 4 take-out containers or plates and top with 4 shrimp. Garnish with additional dill.
SHRIMP ORZO SALAD
A half hour is all you need to mix up this colorful crowd-pleaser. Offering plenty of shrimp, artichoke hearts, olives, peppers and a host of herbs, it's a tasty change-of-pace from pasta salads. "The recipe completes any buffet," notes Ginger Johnson of Farmington, Illinois.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 16 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add the shrimp, peppers, artichokes, onion, parsley, dill and olives. , In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, garlic, salt, basil, oregano and pepper. Slowly whisk in oil. Pour over pasta mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 179 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 32mg cholesterol, Sodium 297mg sodium, Carbohydrate 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
ORZO SALAD WITH PEPPERS AND FETA
Piperade, a classic Basque dish of stewed peppers, onions and tomatoes, becomes a flavorful sauce for this pasta. Colorful bell peppers simmer in olive oil and aromatics until meltingly soft, and juicy tomatoes simmer alongside until they burst, lending both tangy and sweet notes. Briny feta adds salty bites to complement the sweet pepper sauce, but tart aged goat cheese makes a good alternative. This side is even better at room temperature, making it the perfect make-ahead dish for summer picnics or potlucks.
Provided by Kay Chun
Categories dinner, easy, lunch, pastas, salads and dressings, main course, side dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings (about 10 cups)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook orzo in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta, pressing out excess liquid. Spread out on a baking sheet to cool.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onion, bell peppers and thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato and cook, stirring occasionally, until broken down and juices release, about 8 minutes.
- Add the reserved pasta water and stir to scrape up any browned bits at the bottom of the skillet. Transfer vegetable mixture to a large bowl to cool slightly to lukewarm, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to speed up the cooling process. Discard thyme sprig.
- Add cooled orzo, lemon juice, basil and cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix well, then transfer to a large serving bowl or platter. Garnish with more basil.
SUMMER ORZO SALAD
Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian
Categories side-dish
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat a grill to high heat.
- Toss the scallions in a bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the scallions until the bulbs are tender and the greens are well-charred, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool. (Alternately, you can char the scallions in a cast-iron pan on the stove.) Chop the white and light green parts finely, then discard the remaining ends of the scallions.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the orzo. Drop in the orzo and begin to cook. Meanwhile, add the chopped scallions to a medium bowl. Add the vinegar, Dijon mustard, remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and half of the olives and whisk until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
- When the pasta is finished cooking, drain and rinse to cool. Immediately toss in some of the vinaigrette, along with the cucumber, tomatoes, herbs, red onion and remaining olives. Mix well. Add more dressing to taste. Top with the goat cheese and serve.
ORZO, PINE NUT, AND FETA SALAD
Categories Salad Pasta Side Vegetarian Quick & Easy Feta Pine Nut Gourmet Sugar Conscious Kidney Friendly Pescatarian Peanut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 8 side-dish servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Cook orzo in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until tender, then drain well in a colander.
- Whisk together lemon juice, oil, and salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl, then add hot orzo and toss. Cool orzo, then toss with pine nuts, feta, and scallion greens. Season with salt and pepper.
MEDITERRANEAN SHRIMP ORZO SALAD
This pretty crowd-pleaser always stands out on the buffet table. With plenty of shrimp, artichoke hearts, olives, peppers and a host of herbs, it's a tasty change of pace from pasta salads. I serve it with a from-scratch vinaigrette. -Ginger Johnson, Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cold water and drain well., In a large bowl, combine orzo, shrimp, vegetables, olives and herbs. Add vinaigrette; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 397 calories, Fat 12g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 65mg cholesterol, Sodium 574mg sodium, Carbohydrate 52g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 18g protein.
MEDITERRANEAN ORZO CHICKEN SALAD
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta; rinse with cold water and drain well., In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, tomatoes, cheese, olives and onion. In a small bowl, whisk remaining ingredients until blended. Drizzle over salad; toss to coat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 397 calories, Fat 16g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 47mg cholesterol, Sodium 407mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 10g fiber), Protein 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
SPINACH-ORZO SALAD WITH CHICKPEAS
The first version of this salad was an experiment in mixing together some random ingredients I had on hand. It was a success, and several people at the party asked for the recipe...which meant I had to re-create it! It's healthy, delicious and perfect for warm-weather days. -Glen White, Kissimmee, Florida
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch Side Dishes
Time 25m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Stir in orzo; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until al dente, 8-10 minutes., In a large bowl, toss spinach and warm orzo, allowing spinach to wilt slightly. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, parsley and green onions., Whisk together dressing ingredients. Toss with salad.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 122 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 259mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
SPINACH ORZO SALAD
This incredibly tasty salad couldn't be any easier to put together, and since it feeds a bunch, you won't have to double the recipe for potlucks or picnics. Chill it for about an hour to bring out all the fresh flavors. Donna Bardocz - Howell, Michigan
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain ozo; rinse with cold water and drain well., In a large bowl, combine spinach, onion, cheese and orzo. Mix vinaigrette, basil and pepper; toss gently with spinach mixture. Refrigerate until serving. Stir in pine nuts just before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 255 calories, Fat 8g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 279mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 8g protein.
ORZO TOMATO ARTICHOKE SALAD
Fresh tomatoes, artichoke hearts, black olives, and orzo with an olive oil, balsamic, and basil dressing.
Provided by my2funsons
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes; drain.
- Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and basil together in a small bowl for the dressing.
- Combine cooked orzo, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, olives, and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Stir dressing into the orzo mixture until all ingredients are well coated. Can be served warm or chilled.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 304.4 calories, Carbohydrate 35.5 g, Cholesterol 3.5 mg, Fat 14.8 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 8.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.7 g, Sodium 360.2 mg, Sugar 3.2 g
ORZO VEGETABLE SALAD
Heading to a potluck and need something to share? Tangy lemon dressing over cool orzo and vegetables is everything you want in a light side dish. -Terri Crandall, Gardnerville, Nevada
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch Side Dishes
Time 30m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook orzo according to package directions., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, artichokes, spinach, onions, cheese and capers. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients., Drain orzo and rinse in cold water. Add to vegetable mixture., Pour dressing over salad; toss to coat. Chill until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 259 calories, Fat 19g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 460mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
CORN AND ZUCCHINI ORZO SALAD
This summer-fresh big-bath salad of corn and zucchini orzo makes enough salad for two meals. Save 4 cups to use in our Corn, Zucchini, and Pasta Frittata.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Salad Recipes
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Place zucchini in a colander and toss with salt. Place colander in sink and let sit 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook orzo according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking; transfer to a large bowl.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 4 minutes. Add to pasta along with zucchini, 3 tablespoons oil, onion, jalapeno, and lemon zest and juice; season with salt and pepper. Stir in basil and feta. Transfer 4 cups salad to an airtight container; refrigerate for up to 2 days and use to make the Corn, Zucchini, and Pasta Frittata.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 330 g, Fat 10 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 12 g, SaturatedFat 3 g
FETA & CRANBERRY ORZO SALAD
It takes only minutes to make this awesome pasta salad. While the orzo is cooking, assemble the rest of the ingredients and it will be ready to go. My husband devoured this side dish.-Antigone Papoutsis, Nederland, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch Side Dishes
Time 20m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Add orzo and return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until orzo is tender; drain. , In a large bowl, combine the orzo, feta, cranberries and onions. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, salt and pepper. Pour over orzo mixture; toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 350 calories, Fat 13g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 10mg cholesterol, Sodium 619mg sodium, Carbohydrate 47g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 11g protein.
TOMATO AND BASIL ORZO SALAD
This is from sunset. Posting for safe keeping Times are approximate Notes: Serve this warm salad as a main dish for a light lunch or as a dinner companion to grilled steak, chicken, or fish.
Provided by wicked cook 46
Categories < 60 Mins
Time 35m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a 3- to 4-quart pan over high heat, bring 1 1/2 to 2 quarts water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until barely tender to bite, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, rinse and core tomatoes; chop and place in a large bowl. Add basil, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar; mix gently.
- Drain pasta well and add to tomato mixture. Mix, adding parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to taste.
Tips:
- Prep your ingredients ahead of time. This will make assembling the salad much easier. You can chop the vegetables, cook the orzo, and make the dressing in advance.
- Use a good quality olive oil. The olive oil is one of the main flavors in this salad, so it's important to use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Don't overcook the orzo. Orzo should be cooked al dente, so it still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked orzo will be mushy and unpleasant.
- Use fresh herbs. Fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, and thyme, add a lot of flavor to this salad. If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs, but they won't be as flavorful.
- Let the salad chill before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the salad will be more refreshing.
Conclusion:
Orzo salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It's perfect for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues. With so many different variations, there's an orzo salad recipe for everyone.
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