Italian Orzo Pasta Salad

This twist on a basic 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 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 simple to make.
• Simple to prep the evening earlier than and able to throw collectively once 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 excellent. In case you’re apprehensive a couple of 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 excellent crunch. This pasta salad and my Mediterranean Chickpea Salad have turn into my go-to for meal-prepping a fast and engaging 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 an excellent choice, or you could possibly 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 an excellent crunch and tangy zip. You would additionally substitute with banana peppers.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes additionally work, and you should utilize crimson or yellow.
• Recent Mozzarella: Cubed recent mozzarella offers a pleasant smooth texture to the salad. Nevertheless, you could possibly at all times use these little mini mozzarella balls or shredded mozzarella as a substitute.
• Salad Dressing: You can also make your dressing with recent herbs over dried. You’ll wish 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 scale of the opposite substances, however for those who’re not a fan, you’ll be able to simply swap with a distinct protein. We suggest grilled hen, floor Italian sausage, or sliced salami as a substitute.

Veggies: We love a superb crunch to our pasta salads. In case you’re seeking to load up with extra veggies, you could possibly 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 a good 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 happy 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 an excellent various that will pair completely with the Italian flavors.

Make-Forward Directions

This pasta salad is tremendous simple to make forward. You’ll be able to whip up the dressing 1 to 2 days early and stash it within the fridge. Then prepare dinner the pasta the evening earlier than and retailer within the fridge to sit back. If you’re able to eat, all you’ve bought to do is chop the veggies and toss all of it collectively in an enormous bowl. Accomplished and finished!