Italian Orzo Pasta Salad

This twist on a basic Italian pasta salad is a sport changer. The orzo pasta offers this salad the proper chunk 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.
• Home made Italian dressing that’s fast and straightforward to make.
• Simple to prep the night time earlier than and able to throw collectively if 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 chunk. And the feel of this salad is just about good. If you happen to’re apprehensive 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 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 chunk.
• Olives: the sliced black olives in a can are a fantastic choice, or you might go inexperienced.
• Mini Pepperonis: Simply swap for normal, sliced pepperoni or salami.
• Inexperienced Bell Pepper: Substitute with yellow or pink bell peppers for a sweeter taste.
• Pepperoncini: Offers a fantastic crunch and tangy zip. You could possibly additionally substitute with banana peppers.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes additionally work, and you should use pink or yellow.
• Recent Mozzarella: Cubed contemporary mozzarella offers a pleasant smooth texture to the salad. Nonetheless, you might at all times use these little mini mozzarella balls or shredded mozzarella as an alternative.
• Salad Dressing: You can also make your dressing with contemporary herbs over dried. You’ll wish to use one tablespoon of finely minced contemporary herbs for each teaspoon of dried herbs the recipe requires.

Optionally available Add-Ins

Meat: We love these mini pepperonis for the way properly they mix with the dimensions of the opposite components, however should you’re not a fan, you may simply swap with a distinct protein. We advocate grilled rooster, floor Italian sausage, or sliced salami as an alternative.

Veggies: We love a very good crunch to our pasta salads. If you happen to’re trying to load up with extra veggies, you might add one other bell pepper (yellow and pink are sweeter), some chopped pink onion and zucchini, or perhaps a diced jalapeño for a bit of kick of warmth

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

Cheese: Be happy to make use of your favourite cheese. You need to use mini mozzarella balls or shredded mozzarella as an alternative of chopped contemporary mozzarella to avoid wasting time. Parmesan can also be a fantastic different that might pair completely with the Italian flavors.

Make-Forward Directions

This pasta salad is tremendous straightforward 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 bought to do is chop the veggies and toss all of it collectively in a giant bowl. Completed and completed!