Orzo Salad
This orzo salad is made with crisp, colorful veggies, tender pasta, garbanzo beans, fresh basil, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Light, vibrant, and perfect for a summer side dish!
Ingredients
Salad:
- 4 cups chicken broth , or vegetable broth
- 1 to 1 ½ cups orzo , uncooked
- 15 ounce can garbanzo beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 pint grape tomatoes , halved
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- ½ cup chopped fresh basil
Dressing:
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ Tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make orzo pasta. Heat 4 cups broth in a large pot over high heat. Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups 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) 1/3 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 Tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper for the dressing. Add more salt and pepper, to taste.
- Toss the orzo 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.
Notes
Substitutions: You may use parsley instead of basil and add in fresh mint for even more flavor.
Extras ingredients: Feel free to add in extras like feta cheese, chopped bell peppers, cucumbers or spinach.
Make ahead: This salad may be assembled up to 1 day in advance. Prepare as directed, however reserve some of the dressing to toss into the dish right before serving (so the pasta doesn't get dry).
Storing: This dish will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 258kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Sodium: 874mg, Potassium: 401mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 583IU, Vitamin C: 19mg, Calcium: 44mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
