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 simple home made 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, providing you with the right chew. And the feel of this salad is just about good. 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 good crunch. This pasta salad and my Mediterranean Chickpea Salad have change 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 important possibility, or you possibly can 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 important crunch and tangy zip. You would additionally substitute with banana peppers.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes additionally work, and you should use pink or yellow.
• Contemporary Mozzarella: Cubed recent mozzarella offers a pleasant gentle texture to the salad. Nonetheless, you possibly can at all times use these little mini mozzarella balls or shredded mozzarella as a substitute.
• Salad Dressing: You may 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-compulsory Add-Ins

Meat: We love these mini pepperonis for the way effectively they mix with the dimensions of the opposite elements, however if you happen to’re not a fan, you’ll be able to simply swap with a distinct protein. We advocate grilled rooster, floor Italian sausage, or sliced salami as a substitute.

Veggies: We love a great crunch to our pasta salads. For those who’re seeking to load up with extra veggies, you possibly can add one other bell pepper (yellow and pink are sweeter), some chopped pink onion and zucchini, or perhaps a diced jalapeño for a bit kick of warmth

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

Cheese: Be at liberty 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 also be an important different that might pair completely with the Italian flavors.

Make-Forward Directions

This pasta salad is tremendous simple 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 relax. Whenever you’re able to eat, all you’ve received to do is chop the veggies and toss all of it collectively in a giant bowl. Achieved and finished!