Best Orzo Pasta Salad Recipes

GREEK CHICKEN AND ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• For the chicken: In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, salt, oregano, garlic powder, pepper and lemon juice. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Slice the chicken into 1-inch-wide pieces. Set aside.
• For the breadcrumbs: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a medium ovensafe skillet, heat the butter, olive oil and garlic over low heat until the garlic begins to sizzle. Add the breadcrumbs and salt and toss to coat. Transfer to the oven and toast until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• For the dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, salt, oregano, pepper, garlic and lemon juice in a small bowl until combined.
• For the salad: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook until al dente, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl. Toss with the dressing while still hot, then let cool to room temperature.
• When cool, stir in the tomatoes, cucumber and parsley. Top with the feta, sliced chicken and breadcrumbs.

CHICKEN FLORENTINE SALAD WITH ORZO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
• Mix orzo, spinach, chicken, tomatoes, pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers in a large bowl.
• Whisk balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, parsley, basil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper together in a bowl; drizzle over salad. Toss to coat. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over salad.

ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare the orzo according to the package directions, taking care to salt the water generously. Drain and set aside to cool to room temperature.
• In a large bowl, combine the orzo with the rest of the ingredients and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Use your clean hands or two large spoons to mix it carefully. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

ORZO PASTA SALAD WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Bring water, orzo, and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until orzo is tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Rinse orzo under cold water and scrape into a large bowl. Let cool for 20 minutes.
• Stir in green onions, celery, cranberries, lemon juice, sesame oil, vinegar, olive oil, and cayenne pepper. Let stand at room temperature until flavors blend, about 1 hour. Stir in pecans and cilantro before serving.

SPRING VEGETABLE ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan full of water to a boil. Turn off the burner, add in asparagus pieces and blanch for 2-3 minutes. While the asparagus is in the water, heat one tablespoon olive oil in a small sauté pan. Add in shallots and garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, just until tender. Drain the asparagus and rinse with cool water.
• In a large bowl add cooked orzo pasta, asparagus pieces and sautéed shallots and garlic. Drain artichoke hearts and quarter them, adding them to the bowl. Add in sun-dried tomatoes with oil and lemon zest. Stir to combine.
• In a small bowl or container, whisk together lemon juice, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper. While continuously whisking, slowly pour olive oil into the vinegar. Once emulsified, stir the dressing into the salad. Move to the refrigerator for at least 5 hours for flavors to combine. Serve cold.

ORZO ARTICHOKE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Start the water to heat first. When boiling, add pasta and cook according to package direction - it will probably take around 10 minutes. Do not overcook.
• While water is heating, start on the dressing for the pasta. Saute onions and garlic in 1/4 cup oil a few minutes until they start to soften. Add tomatoes, artichokes, and capers. Cook for about 5 minutes on medium, then turn off the heat.
• Once pasta is cooked, reserve 1 cup of the cooking water. Drain the pasta, returning it to the large pot you cooked it inches Add back the reserved hot cooking water. Add the warm tomato and artichoke mixture to the cooked pasta. Add the remaining 1/4 cup oil and parsley and stir to let it warm through and wilt the parsley.
• Season with the salt and pepper. Stir in the lemon juice and chopped basil.
• Enjoy!

ORZO PASTA SALAD WITH GRILLED CONFETTI VEGETABLES AND FETA

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring about 4 cups of salted water to a boil. Add orzo pasta and cook according to package directions, about 6-8 minutes, until al dente (firm to the bite). Drain and rinse under cold water. Let orzo sit in colander to drain well. Transfer to a large bowl and toss with about 2 tsp (5 ml) olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, oregano, lemon juice, lemon peel, salt and pepper until well combined. Set aside.
• Preheat a barbeque or grill to medium-high heat. Brush zucchini strips and yellow pepper with a little olive oil. Place these, along with corn, on barbeque and grill for 4-5 minutes on each side until grill marks appear and vegetables are tender. Remove and set aside on a baking tray to cool. Once cool, cut the kernels off of the corn husks (there should be about 2 cups) and chop the zucchini and yellow peppers into ½-inch (1 cm) pieces.
• To the orzo pasta, add the zucchini, yellow pepper, corn, cherry tomatoes, feta and pine nuts. Drizzle over lemon vinaigrette and toss gently to combine. Garnish with torn basil leaves.
• In a hurry? Chop zucchini and yellow pepper into ½-inch dice. Place in large bowl along with cherry tomatoes and 1 cup corn (canned). Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil and season the vegetables with salt and pepper. Spread evenly onto a baking sheet. Bake until lightly browned, about 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside and let cool to room temperature and then toss with orzo salad as above.

PICNIC ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo for 7 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• Add peppers, onion and sundried tomatoes to the orzo pasta and mix well.
• Add oil and gradually add in the vinegar. Use your discretion if you want to add the entire 1/2 cup of vinegar.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Chill for at least 1 hour.
• Fold in feta cheese right before serving.

ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the orzo, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
• Place the sun-dried tomatoes into the boiling water in a bowl, and let stand for 10 minutes to plump up. Drain off excess water.
• Toss the cooked orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, olives, parsley, and feta cheese together in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

GRILLED SKIRT STEAK WITH ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a shallow baking dish, season steak with kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper and toss in olive oil and vinegar to coat; set aside at room temperature.
• Meanwhile, heat a salted pot of water to boiling over high heat, add orzo and cook until al dente, 3 - 4 minutes; drain and set in fridge to cool 15 minutes.
• Heat grill over medium high heat and grill steaks 2 - 3 minutes per side for medium rare; remove from heat and allow steaks to rest.
• Remove chilled orzo from fridge and add remaining ingredients along with 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil. Toss well to combine and plate.
• Slice steak thin and on the bias and plate next to orzo salad. Serve immediately.

POTLUCK ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo in 6-8 qt pot of boiling water according to pkg directions (7-9 minutes) Drain and rinse with cold water; drain well.
• Toss in large bowl with 1 1/2 T olive oil.
• Add chopped vegetables, beans, and olives In separate small bowl, combine olive juice, sesame oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano, dill weed, mustard and curry.
• Gradually whisk in remaining 1/2 cup olive oil.
• Add salt and ground pepper to taste.
• Add dressing to orzo mixture and blend well.
• At this point taste the salad, and add more of whatever you prefer (I added more dijon).
• Toast pine nuts on a cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven for 5-10 minutes.
• Sprinkle on top of salad just before serving.
• Can be made 1 day ahead.
• Makes approximately 10 cups.

LEMON-BASIL ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo as directed on package, omitting salt; drain. Place in large bowl.
• Whisk dressing, basil and juice until blended. Add to orzo with remaining ingredients; mix lightly.
• Refrigerate 1 hour.

ORZO PASTA SALAD WITH FETA & OLIVES

Steps:

• Cook orzo as directed on package, omitting salt; drain. Place in large bowl.
• Whisk dressing, herbs and lemon juice until blended. Add to orzo with remaining ingredients; mix lightly.
• Refrigerate 1 hour.

GREEK ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Dressing: Place all the ingredients in a blender and pulse until well incorporated. No blender? That's just fine, simply mix/shake the ingredients until thoroughly blended.
• Salad: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• In large bowl combine pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell peppers, feta and olives. Toss with dressing and chill for at least one 1 hour in refrigerator.

MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo as directed on package, omitting salt; drain. Place in large bowl.
• Whisk dressing, basil and lemon juice until blended. Add to orzo with remaining ingredients; mix lightly.
• Refrigerate 1 hour.

QUICK ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo as directed on package, omitting salt; drain. Place in large bowl.
• Whisk dressing, herbs and lemon juice until blended. Add to orzo with remaining ingredients; mix lightly.
• Refrigerate 1 hour.

GREEK ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook Orzo al dente, 5-6 minutes.
• Drain and cool in a large bowl.
• Add olive oil to pasta to prevent sticking.
• Toss olives, pepper, onion, tomatoes and cheese in with pasta.
• Add vinegar and basil and toss.
• Salt and pepepr to taste.

SUMMER ORZO FETA PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine all ingredients together; toss well to combine (adjusting seasonings to suit taste).
• Mix in mayonnaise, adding in more to taste.
• Cover and chill for a minimum of 2 hours.

DANA'S ORZO & PEPPER PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare orzo pasta as recommended on box, rinse real well.
• Clean and chop peppers real well.
• Combine all ingredients mix well, and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
• Let chill and serve.

ORZO PASTA SALAD WITH ITALIAN DRESSING

Steps:

• Prepare orzo as directed on package; drain. Rinse well with cold water; drain again.
• Toss orzo with dressing, cheese and tomatoes in large bowl; cover.
• Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.