Italian Orzo Pasta Salad

This twist on a basic 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 straightforward selfmade 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 chew. 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 turn out to be 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. Prepare dinner to al dente for a agency, chewy chew.
• Olives: the sliced black olives in a can are an excellent choice, or you may 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 an excellent crunch and tangy zip. You possibly can additionally substitute with banana peppers.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes additionally work, and you should use pink or yellow.
• Contemporary Mozzarella: Cubed contemporary mozzarella provides a pleasant mushy texture to the salad. Nevertheless, you may all the time use these little mini mozzarella balls or shredded mozzarella as a substitute.
• 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.

Elective Add-Ins

Meat: We love these mini pepperonis for the way nicely they mix with the dimensions of the opposite elements, however should you’re not a fan, you’ll be able to simply swap with a unique protein. We suggest grilled hen, floor Italian sausage, or sliced salami as a substitute.

Veggies: We love an excellent crunch to our pasta salads. If you happen to’re seeking to load up with extra veggies, you may add one other bell pepper (yellow and pink are sweeter), some chopped pink 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 nicely with this salad for his or her measurement and texture.

Cheese: Be at liberty to make use of your favourite cheese. You should utilize mini mozzarella balls or shredded mozzarella as a substitute of chopped contemporary mozzarella to avoid wasting time. Parmesan can be an excellent different that may 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 sit back. If 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. Executed and completed!