This Basil Pesto Orzo Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that will elevate your summer meals. This delightful salad combines the rich, herbaceous flavors of basil pesto with the satisfying texture of orzo pasta, creating a salad that’s as delicious as it is versatile.
Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or a light lunch, this dish is sure to impress your taste buds and your guests.
Helpful Tips
- Make your own fresh pesto using this recipe or you can use store bought. When making fresh pesto look for bright green leaves that are free from spots or wilting.
- The saltiness of the feta cheese enhances the flavor of the salad. Crumble it or leave it in larger chunks. To change it up you could replace it with squares of cheddar, cotija, or goat cheese.
- Serve this salad chilled or room temperature. It’s best to let it sit for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
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Basil Pesto Orzo Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (227 g) dried orzo
- 1/2 cup (118 ml) fresh basil pesto or store bought pesto
- 15 cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup (38 g) feta cheese crumbled
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) flake salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add about ½ tablespoon salt. Cook orzo to al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Once orzo is cool, add it to a large bowl. Stir in half the pesto, until orzo is coated.
- Gently fold in the feta cheese and cherry tomatoes.
- Spoon on the remaining pesto, but don’t stir it in.
- Garnish with flake salt and ground black pepper.
Notes
- Make your own fresh pesto using this recipe or you can use store bought. When making fresh pesto look for bright green leaves that are free from spots or wilting.
- The saltiness of the feta cheese enhances the flavor of the salad. Crumble it or leave it in larger chunks. To change it up you could replace it with squares of cheddar, cotija, or goat cheese.
- Serve this salad chilled or room temperature. It’s best to let it sit for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Nutrition
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Angela’s passion for discovering and experimenting with new flavors and recipes is at the heart of her culinary philosophy. Residing in a quaint Oregon town, she finds joy and inspiration in her kitchen. Angela has a lot of expertise in cooking and she eagerly shares her discoveries and unique creations with you.
