Best 5 Quick Orzo Salad Recipes
**Orzo Salad: A Refreshing and Versatile Dish for Any Occasion**
Orzo salad is a vibrant and versatile dish that combines the delightful flavors of cooked orzo pasta, an assortment of fresh vegetables, herbs, and a zesty dressing. Its versatility lies in the endless possibilities for customization, allowing you to tailor the salad to your preferences and available ingredients. Whether you're seeking a light and refreshing side dish for a summer barbecue, a hearty vegetarian main course for lunch, or a colorful addition to your potluck spread, orzo salad has got you covered. With variations ranging from classic Mediterranean flavors to tangy Asian-inspired dressings, this article presents a collection of delectable orzo salad recipes that cater to diverse tastes and dietary needs.
**Recipes Included:**
1. **Classic Orzo Salad:** This timeless recipe forms the foundation of a perfect orzo salad, featuring a harmonious blend of cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, fresh herbs, and a tangy lemon-based dressing.
2. **Greek Orzo Salad:** Inspired by the vibrant flavors of Greece, this variation incorporates flavorful ingredients such as Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a zesty dressing infused with Mediterranean herbs.
3. **Roasted Vegetable Orzo Salad:** For a hearty and flavorful salad, roasted vegetables take center stage. This recipe combines roasted broccoli, zucchini, and bell peppers with orzo, feta cheese, and a creamy dressing.
4. **Asian-Inspired Orzo Salad:** This unique recipe marries the tangy and sweet flavors of Asia with orzo, crunchy vegetables, and a flavorful dressing made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
5. **Vegan Orzo Salad:** Catering to vegan and plant-based diets, this recipe showcases the goodness of chickpeas, roasted sweet potatoes, and a creamy avocado dressing, resulting in a protein-packed and satisfying salad.
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
QUICK ORZO SALAD
Provided by Robin Miller : Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in olive oil, vinegar, red onion, tomatoes and basil and toss to combine. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper.
ORZO SALAD
Steps:
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the stock, cover and bring to a boil. Then add the orzo and cook, stirring frequently, until al dente, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain the orzo in a colander and allow to cool completely.
- In a large bowl, toss together the orzo, chickpeas, tomatoes, feta, olives, vinegar, oil, onion and salt and pepper to taste. Toss in the mint. Serve at room temperature.
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
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.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make all the difference in your orzo salad. Look for ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tender herbs.
- Cook the orzo al dente: Orzo should be cooked until it is slightly chewy, not mushy. This will help it hold its shape in the salad.
- Let the orzo cool completely before assembling the salad: This will prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- Dress the salad just before serving: This will help keep the salad fresh and prevent the dressing from diluting.
- Experiment with different variations: There are endless possibilities for orzo salad. Try adding different vegetables, proteins, or cheeses. You can also change up the dressing to create a different flavor profile.
Conclusion:
Orzo salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or even as a side dish. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own preferences. With a little creativity, you can create an orzo salad that everyone will love.
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