Italian Orzo Pasta Salad

This twist on a basic Italian pasta salad is a recreation changer. The orzo pasta provides this salad the right chunk and texture. Plus, it’s loaded with crisp veggies and a straightforward selfmade French dressing dressing.

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

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 chunk. And the feel of this salad is just about excellent. For those who’re fearful 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 excellent crunch. This pasta salad and my Mediterranean Chickpea Salad have grow to be 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 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 a fantastic crunch and tangy zip. You may additionally substitute with banana peppers.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes additionally work, and you need to use crimson or yellow.
• Contemporary Mozzarella: Cubed contemporary mozzarella provides a pleasant delicate texture to the salad. Nevertheless, you could possibly all the time use these little mini mozzarella balls or shredded mozzarella as an alternative.
• Salad Dressing: You may make your dressing with contemporary herbs over dried. You’ll need to use one tablespoon of finely minced contemporary herbs for each teaspoon of dried herbs the recipe requires.

Non-obligatory Add-Ins

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

Veggies: We love a great crunch to our pasta salads. For those who’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 somewhat kick of warmth

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

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

Make-Forward Directions

This pasta salad is tremendous straightforward to make forward. You may whip up the dressing 1 to 2 days early and stash it within the fridge. Then cook dinner the pasta the evening earlier than and retailer within the fridge to sit back. Whenever 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 performed!