Italian Orzo Pasta Salad

This twist on a traditional Italian pasta salad is a recreation changer. The orzo pasta provides this salad the proper chew and texture. Plus, it’s loaded with crisp veggies and a simple home made French dressing dressing.

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

Why My Recipe

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

What’s nice about this salad is the dimensions of every ingredient. The orzo pasta, mini pepperoni, and small items of mozzarella all match collectively on one spoon, supplying you with the proper 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 mild with that good crunch. This pasta salad and my Mediterranean Chickpea Salad have change 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. Prepare dinner to al dente for a agency, chewy chew.
• Olives: the sliced black olives in a can are a fantastic possibility, or you can go inexperienced.
• Mini Pepperonis: Simply swap for normal, sliced pepperoni or salami.
• Inexperienced Bell Pepper: Substitute with yellow or crimson bell peppers for a sweeter taste.
• Pepperoncini: Offers a fantastic crunch and tangy zip. You would additionally substitute with banana peppers.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes additionally work, and you should utilize crimson or yellow.
• Contemporary Mozzarella: Cubed recent mozzarella provides a pleasant smooth texture to the salad. Nonetheless, you can at all times use these little mini mozzarella balls or shredded mozzarella as a substitute.
• Salad Dressing: You may 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 properly they mix with the dimensions of the opposite elements, however for those who’re not a fan, you’ll be able to simply swap with a unique protein. We advocate grilled hen, floor Italian sausage, or sliced salami as a substitute.

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

Beans: Add some extra substance to your salad! Beans are an effective way to make this pasta salad slightly extra hearty and filling. Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) pair properly 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 a substitute of chopped recent mozzarella to avoid wasting time. Parmesan can be a fantastic various that might 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 prepare dinner the pasta the night time earlier than and retailer within the fridge to relax. While you’re able to eat, all you’ve acquired to do is chop the veggies and toss all of it collectively in a giant bowl. Carried out and finished!