This delicious orzo pesto salad is light, fresh, and full of flavor! Tender orzo, mozzarella pearls, juicy tomatoes, and fresh greens all tossed with pesto make this dish wholesome and full of micronutrients. In only 20 minutes you’ll be able to tuck into this salad for lunch, a light dinner, or a side dish!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Orzo Pesto Salad
It’s hearty and light at the same time! I think the freshness of the ingredients makes this recipe go down easy (along with how yummy it is, of course), but it’s also really filling! The orzo has more protein and fiber than most pasta so it’ll be sure to satiate your appetite.
This is the perfect summertime salad! The tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil make it feel like a caprese vibe which screams summer to me. Plus, it can be eaten cold, room temp, or warm, so it’s a great side dish to serve at a BBQ or bring to a potluck.
It’s super customizable! Add what you want and omit what you want. I have a whole slew of suggestions for you that’ll help you put your own stamp on this orzo salad.
Orzo Pesto Salad Ingredients
This list is so wholesome! I love that you don’t need many ingredients to pack such a powerful flavor punch. Fresh pesto is the best, so be sure to check out my homemade pesto recipe.
- Orzo
- Tomatoes – Cherry or grape
- Mozzarella pearls
- Red onion
- Pesto
- Arugula
- Basil leaves
Variations and Substitutions
- Top your orzo pesto salad with balsamic glaze for a little extra delicious flavor boost!
- Add some of your favorite chopped veggies.
- Use spinach instead of (or in addition to) the arugula.
- Add some chickpeas!
- Serve your orzo pesto salad in a wrap with some falafel.
- Add cooked and cooled sausage, chopped bacon, chopped chicken, sliced steak, etc.
- Try a different kind of pasta!
- Add olives or capers for a salty punch.
- Swap basil for parsley if you’d like a different herb.
How To Make Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook Orzo
Cook your orzo pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, add the cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, red onion, pesto, arugula leaves, and cooked orzo. Toss everything together until the pesto has evenly coated the ingredients. Taste test and season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper as desired.
Step 3: Garnish
Garnish your pesto pasta with fresh basil leaves. This dish can be served cold or at room temperature.
Serving Suggestions
To round out this meal let’s add some drinks, apps, and a sweet treat – just in case you’re serving this to someone else and not eating it directly out of the refrigerator like me.
- Drinks: Enjoy a French blonde cocktail, an orange strawberry spritz, or an Italian margarita to start the evening off right!
- Apps: For a blast from the past, enjoy some air fryer pigs in a blanket – my childhood favorite! If you want a little more of a cosmopolitan vibe, try the fried sage or blue cheese stuffed olives.
- Desserts: Finish off your meal with something bright and fruity like strawberry tres leches or this vegan mango ice cream!
FAQs
What do you eat pesto with?
Oh, the opportunities here are endless! Smear pesto on bread, put it on eggs, put it on chicken, stir it into mashed potatoes, or put a dollop on a baked potato. You can even stir it into a creamy soup, add it as a layer to pizza, put it in/on lasagna, or make a salad dressing with it. One of my favorite easy ways to use pesto is to add it to a sandwich for lunch. Enjoy!
Is orzo a pasta or a rice?
Although orzo looks a lot like rice, it’s actually a version of pasta! It’s higher in protein and fiber than other versions so it’ll keep you fuller longer.
How do I store pesto orzo salad?
If you think you’re going to have some extra pesto salad leftover, only dress individual servings. That way you can store the leftovers in the refrigerator separate from the dressing to prevent it from getting soggy. Keep it in an airtight container for 4-7 days.
More Recipes with Pesto
- Italian Pesto Pasta Salad
- Garden Pesto Grilled Cheese
- Pesto Pasta Shells with Italian Sausage Marinara
- Caprese Prosciutto Pizza
- Skinny Fettuccine Pesto Alfredo
If you make these Orzo Pesto Salad, be sure to tag me on Pinterest and Instagram!
I seriously love seeing what you guys are making and sharing your creations with the College Housewife community!
Orzo Pesto Salad
ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes halved or quartered
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- ¼ red onion finely diced
- ½ cup pesto more to taste
- 3 cups arugula
- Fresh basil leaves
instructions
- Cook orzo pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl add cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, red onion, pesto, arugula leaves and cooked orzo. Toss together until pesto is evenly coated over all ingredients. Taste test and season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper as desired.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves. Can be served cold or at room temp.
notes
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