Pioneer Woman Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe is a fresh and easy recipe, which is made with orzo pasta and fresh herbs. It’s the perfect side dish for a potluck or BBQ, ready in about 20 minutes.

Pioneer Woman Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups (226g) dried orzo pasta
• 1 medium English cucumber, diced
• 1 large tomato, diced or 8 ounces halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh herbs (like parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, or mint)
• 1/2 cup pitted olives, halved
• 1 cup canned or jarred artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1/4 cup (60ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
• 2 to 4 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
• Salt and fresh ground black pepper

How To Make Pioneer Woman Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe

1. Cook the orzo: Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook for 6 to 10 minutes, or until al dente, according to package directions. Drain well.
2. Make the dressing: While the orzo cooks, whisk the olive oil, mustard, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper together in a large serving bowl.
3. Combine and serve: Add the drained orzo to the bowl with the lemon dressing and mix well. Let it sit for 5 minutes to cool down slightly. Stir in the cucumber, tomato, fresh herbs, olives, and artichokes. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately or chill before serving.

Recipe Tips

• How to prevent orzo from sticking? Rinsing the orzo briefly under cool water after draining can help remove excess starch and prevent it from clumping together in the salad.
• Can I make this salad ahead of time? Yes, this salad is great for making ahead. For the best results, store the dressing and the chopped vegetables/herbs separately from the cooked orzo. Toss everything together just before serving to keep the vegetables crisp and the herbs bright.
• What other vegetables can I add? This is a great base recipe for additions. Finely diced red bell pepper, a handful of baby spinach, or some crumbled feta cheese would all be delicious.
• What’s the best way to cook orzo? Treat it just like any other pasta. Cook it in well-salted boiling water until it’s “al dente,” which means it’s tender but still has a slight bite.

What To Serve With Orzo Pasta Salad

This light and fresh pasta salad is a wonderful side dish for many main courses.

• Grilled Chicken or Salmon
• Lamb Kebabs
• A simple rotisserie chicken
• As a light vegetarian lunch on its own

How To Store Orzo Pasta Salad

• Refrigerate: Store leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld, but the vegetables may lose some of their crispness over time.

Orzo Pasta Salad Nutrition Facts

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 166
• Protein: 4.4g
• Carbohydrate: 20.5g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Total Sugars: 1.8g
• Total Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 1.1g
• Cholesterol: 21mg
• Sodium: 290mg

The nutrition facts provided are estimates.

FAQs

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Kale Salad Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Chopped Salad Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Chickpea Salad Recipe