orzo pesto salad

Mediterranean orzo salad with pesto is a bright flavorful summer salad with fresh cucumbers, artichokes, kalamata olives, tomatoes, and feta cheese in a lemon pesto mayo dressing. Perfect for a summer BBQ or picnic.

Mediterranean Orzo Pesto Salad

orzo

artichokes

cherry tomatoes, halved

cucumber,

kalamata olives, sliced

feta

green onions

pesto

mayonnaise

lemon juice

lemon zest

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a big pinch of salt. Boil the orzo according to package instructions to about a minute past al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander with small holes (those small pieces of pasta can fall through larger holes) and run it under cold water to stop the cooking process.

In a very large bowl, add the orzo, artichokes, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, most of the green onions and most of the feta cheese (reserve a little feta and green onion for topping).

In a small bowl, whisk together the pesto, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and lemon zest.

Add the mayo pesto sauce to the orzo mixture and gently toss until combined.

Sprinkle the remaining feta cheese and green onions on top. This pesto orzo salad can be served chilled or at room temperature.

Store leftover orzo pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

This pesto orzo salad recipe is loaded with fresh vegetables and a bright lemony basil pesto dressing.  Cold pasta salads are perfect for those hot summer months!  This is the perfect side dish for a summer bbq, potluck or even a weeknight dinner.

Easy Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad

orzo pasta

basil,

walnuts

Parmesan cheese

garlic

olive oil

salt

grape tomatoes, halved

Kalamata olives

red pepper, chopped

goat cheese crumbles

Heat a large pot over water over high heat and cook orzo according to the package directions.   When the orzo has finished cooking to the desired texture (I prefer al dente) run under cold water and drain well.   Set the cooked orzo aside in a large mixing bowl.

While orzo is cooking make the pesto by adding basil leaves, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, olive oil and salt to the base of a food processor or blender.  While blending drizzle in the lemon juice until the pesto is the desired consistency (up to 3 tablespoons).

Stir the pesto into the orzo.  Add the chopped tomatoes, olives, cucumber, roasted red pepper and goat cheese into the bowl with the orzo and stir to combine the ingredients.  Serve immediately or chill for 1-2 hours before serving.

Top 2 orzo pesto salad recipes from across the web

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Mediterranean Orzo Pesto Salad

Easy Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad

Top 2 orzo pesto salad recipes from across the web

The most viewed orzo pesto salad recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Mediterranean Orzo Pesto Salad

Easy Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad

The most viewed orzo pesto salad recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine