Italian Orzo Pasta Salad

This twist on a basic Italian pasta salad is a recreation changer. The orzo pasta provides this salad the proper chunk and texture. Plus, it’s loaded with crisp veggies and a simple do-it-yourself French dressing dressing.

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

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 excellent. For those who’re anxious 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 gentle with that excellent crunch. This pasta salad and my Mediterranean Chickpea Salad have turn 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 chunk.
• 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: Provides a fantastic crunch and tangy zip. You would additionally substitute with banana peppers.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes additionally work, and you need to use purple or yellow.
• Recent Mozzarella: Cubed recent mozzarella provides a pleasant comfortable texture to the salad. Nevertheless, you would at all times 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 wish to use one tablespoon of finely minced recent 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 substances, however for those who’re not a fan, you possibly can simply swap with a unique protein. We suggest grilled hen, floor Italian sausage, or sliced salami as an alternative.

Veggies: We love a very good 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 little bit kick of warmth

Beans: Add some extra substance to your salad! Beans are an effective way to make this pasta salad a little bit extra hearty and filling. Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) pair properly 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 recent mozzarella to avoid wasting time. Parmesan can be a fantastic various that will pair completely with the Italian flavors.

Make-Forward Directions

This pasta salad is tremendous straightforward to make forward. You’ll be able to 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 relax. If you’re able to eat, all you’ve obtained to do is chop the veggies and toss all of it collectively in an enormous bowl. Performed and completed!