Italian Orzo Pasta Salad

This twist on a traditional Italian pasta salad is a sport changer. The orzo pasta offers this salad the right chew and texture. Plus, it’s loaded with crisp veggies and a straightforward do-it-yourself French dressing dressing.

Love orzo as a lot as we do? Then you definitely’ll love our Lemon Chicken and Orzo.

Why My Recipe

• Loaded with completely crisp and crunchy veggies and all of the scrumptious orzo.
• Home made Italian dressing that’s fast and simple to make.
• Straightforward to prep the night time earlier than and able to throw collectively if you want it!

What’s nice about this salad is the scale of every ingredient. The orzo pasta, mini pepperoni, and small items of mozzarella all match collectively on one spoon, providing you with the right chew. And the feel of this salad is just about good. For those who’re frightened a few soggy pasta salad, this isn’t that! Cooking the orzo pasta to al dente and mixing it with olives, peppers, and tomatoes makes this pasta salad gentle with that good crunch. This pasta salad and my Mediterranean Chickpea Salad have develop into my go-to for meal-prepping a fast and attractive lunch!

Ingredient Notes

• Orzo Pasta: This short-cut pasta resembles rice and is discovered within the pasta aisle at most grocery shops. Cook dinner to al dente for a agency, chewy chew.
• Olives: the sliced black olives in a can are a fantastic possibility, or you would go inexperienced.
• Mini Pepperonis: Simply swap for normal, sliced pepperoni or salami.
• Inexperienced Bell Pepper: Substitute with yellow or purple bell peppers for a sweeter taste.
• Pepperoncini: Offers a fantastic crunch and tangy zip. You possibly can additionally substitute with banana peppers.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes additionally work, and you should use purple or yellow.
• Contemporary Mozzarella: Cubed recent mozzarella offers a pleasant smooth texture to the salad. Nevertheless, you would all the time use these little mini mozzarella balls or shredded mozzarella as an alternative.
• Salad Dressing: You can also make your dressing with recent herbs over dried. You’ll need to use one tablespoon of finely minced recent herbs for each teaspoon of dried herbs the recipe requires.

Non-obligatory Add-Ins

Meat: We love these mini pepperonis for a way nicely they mix with the scale of the opposite elements, however should you’re not a fan, you possibly can simply swap with a special protein. We advocate grilled hen, floor Italian sausage, or sliced salami as an alternative.

Veggies: We love an excellent crunch to our pasta salads. For those who’re trying to load up with extra veggies, you would add one other bell pepper (yellow and purple are sweeter), some chopped purple onion and zucchini, or perhaps a diced jalapeño for a bit kick of warmth

Beans: Add some extra substance to your salad! Beans are an effective way to make this pasta salad a bit extra hearty and filling. Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) pair nicely with this salad for his or her dimension and texture.

Cheese: Be at liberty to make use of your favourite cheese. You need to use mini mozzarella balls or shredded mozzarella as an alternative of chopped recent mozzarella to avoid wasting time. Parmesan can be a fantastic various that may pair completely with the Italian flavors.

Make-Forward Directions

This pasta salad is tremendous simple to make forward. You possibly can whip up the dressing 1 to 2 days early and stash it within the fridge. Then cook dinner the pasta the night time earlier than and retailer within the fridge to sit back. While you’re able to eat, all you’ve received to do is chop the veggies and toss all of it collectively in a giant bowl. Performed and executed!