This Orzo Salad is one of my favorite Summer side dishes! Topped with a delicious homemade vinaigrette, this orzo pasta is so fresh and loaded with fantastic flavor. Such a healthy and filling side dish recipe!
Orzo Pasta
Summer is coming and I cannot wait! We love grilling in the Summer time and inviting friends over, so I’m always on the hunt for delicious Summer sides. This orzo salad is so fresh and filling and is the perfect side dish recipe!
I adapted this orzo pasta from Giada’s cookbook. The main thing that I changed was that I only made half of the dressing, used less onion and more tomatoes. She also adds fresh mint to her orzo pasta salad and I did try it with fresh mint (which definitely adds a nice touch), but I don’t think it’s necessary to buy it just for this recipe. If you have it in your garden, definitely add some in. So delicious!
Variations for this Orzo Salad
- Add grilled chicken and feta cheese to make the orzo salad a main dish
- Use parsley instead of basil and add in cucumbers, sliced olives and feta cheese to turn it into a Greek orzo salad
- Add in chopped bell peppers and cucumbers for more veggies
- Omit the chickpeas and add in your other favorite vegetables
This orzo salad is so tasty and such an easy side dish to whip up quickly. This has become one of my favorite orzo recipes and a dish that guests love. Enjoy! :)
Love this orzo salad? You’ll like these other Summer salads too:
- Pesto Chicken Salad
- The BEST Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Ramen Noodle Cabbage Salad
- Broccoli Salad with Bacon
Orzo Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups orzo
- 15 oz garbanzo beans (1 can, drained and rinsed)
- 1 pint grape tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the broth in a large pot over high heat. Add the orzo and cover slightly with a lid. Cook for 7 minutes, or until cooked. Drain and allow to cool completely.
- Whisk together (or shake in a jar) the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper for the dressing. Add more salt and pepper, to taste.
- Toss the orzo salad with the beans, tomatoes, onion, basil and enough vinaigrette to coat. If serving later in the day, reserve some of the dressing to toss into the orzo pasta right before serving. Refrigerate orzo salad until ready to serve.
That looks delicious! Totally need to make for a summer picnic!
Hope you enjoy! :)
This salad looks amazing! Will definitely try this!
Sounds delicious! Saving to make soon!
Looks so perfect! Definitely a must try!
Orzo salad is my kid’s favorite dish! So easy and so fresh!
This looks great! I’ve been loving salads this summer!
This is so great for summer!
Just when I thought I was all picnicked out, you pull me back in with this delicious recipe!
Love how quick and easy this salad is! The whole family loved it!