This Easy Orzo Salad with Pesto is a refreshing salad that combines tender orzo pasta with flavorful pesto, mozzarella pearls, and fresh tomatoes. Simple and delicious, it’s a perfect summertime side dish or light dinner!
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Salads are the perfect summer meal to embrace the abundance of fresh produce and create a light and refreshing meal. All the amazing flavors come together in one bowl – like a party for your taste buds!
And this easy orzo pesto salad is no different. The pesto dressing completes the dish, so if you can – I strongly recommend whipping up homemade pesto. It’s especially great if you have a bumper of fresh basil in your garden.
Whether you prefer a bright lemon orzo pasta salad, sweet corn salad, or a green goddess salad, one thing is certain – salads are a great way to celebrate summer.
So let’s get started!
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WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Bright and refreshing flavor. This salad is like summer in a bowl with fresh ingredients like basil pesto and juicy cherry tomatoes.
- Easy and quick salad recipe. It comes together in 20 minutes with just four simple ingredients.
- It makes a tasty side dish or light dinner! You can choose whether to serve this as a delicious side dish. Or add a hearty protein and make it a main dish salad instead.
- Endless serving options. It’s perfect for summer parties because it holds up well with time, but it’s also a great option for busy weeknights.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Orzo Pesto Salad:
INGREDIENT NOTES
Orzo pasta: Orzo, the main ingredient in this salad is pasta shaped like rice grains. It’s commonly used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine and is an excellent choice for this Mediterranean orzo salad.
Pesto: Store-bought is fine, but try my homemade Basil Arugula Pesto! I promise it’s worth the extra minutes. The fresh flavors of homemade pesto really complete this delicious pasta salad.
Fresh Mozzarella Pearls: I prefer the smaller mozzarella balls and cut them in half. You can also get a log of fresh mozzarella and cut it into small pieces.
Fresh tomatoes: Adds a burst of juiciness and sweetness. Sweet tomatoes like cherry or grape tomatoes provide a pleasant texture and contrast nicely with tender orzo pasta.
HOW TO MAKE ORZO SALAD WITH PESTO: STEP BY STEP
Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with exact ingredients will be in the recipe card below!
Step 1: First, cook orzo according to package instructions. When the orzo has cooked al dente, drain and rinse it with cold water. Set the cooked orzo aside to cool completely
Step 2: While the orzo cooks, make a batch of fresh homemade basil arugula pesto or grab your store-bought pesto.
Step 3: When fully cooled, add pesto to orzo and toss to combine.
Step 4: Next, gently stir in the cut tomatoes and mozzarella. And lastly, drizzle the balsamic glaze if using.
RECIPE TIPS & TRICKS
- Pasta preference: You can cook orzo according to package directions or your preferred doneness. If you love a softer texture in pasta salads, add one extra minute to the cooking time. Conversely, if you prefer an al dente pasta, immediately remove it from the heat, drain well, and rinse with cold running water.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning and texture if necessary. You can add salt if needed and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors. In addition, a tablespoon of pesto or extra virgin olive oil would be fitting if the salad seems dry.
- Make it a meal: Make the salad more filling and satisfying by adding your favorite protein, like baked chicken breasts, shrimp skewers, or grilled steak.
⭐️ CONFIDENCE TIP ⭐️
For the best flavor, let the salad sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld, creating a more delicious and cohesive dish.
STORAGE
You can store pesto orzo pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When enjoying the leftovers, I always like to add more of the Basil Arugula Pesto and a squeeze of lemon juice to freshen it up!
ADDITIONS & SUBSTITUTIONS
SUBSTITUTIONS
Pesto: If making homemade 10 Minute Basil Arugula Pesto seems overwhelming, use your favorite store-bought pesto.
Cheese: Sub mozzarella balls with other cheese such as goat cheese or feta cheese.
Orzo: You can use another short pasta, such as ditalini or orecchiette. I suggest going with small pasta shapes so all the ingredients are of equal size.
ADDITIONS
Red Onion: Dice some fresh red onion for a sharp, refreshing flavor and a pop of color.
Sun-dried tomatoes: Add a few tablespoons of sun-dried tomatoes for a rich texture and tangy flavor.
Parmesan Cheese: Garnish the dish with freshly grated Parmesan for a finishing touch.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Not at all! Even though orzo is commonly found in the pasta aisle of most grocery stores, you can use any pasta you have on hand. Remember that smaller pasta works best in this cold pasta salad. As long as pasta is in bite-sized pieces, it will work. Check out the complete list of 15 Substitutes for Orzo here.
In short, balsamic glaze is balsamic vinegar and sugar reduced to a thick glaze. It’s a little sweet, savory, and perfectly drizzled over this Caprese orzo salad! You can find balsamic glaze near the vinegar at most grocery stores. Or you can make your own!
You can serve orzo pesto pasta salad with your favorite main dish. It complements summer foods like grilled meats and fish well but can also be enjoyed year-round. It’s a perfect side dish for backyard BBQs and parties because there is no mayo, and it can withstand outside temperatures and still be delicious.
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MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
Easy Orzo Salad with Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 16oz package orzo + salt for boiling the pasta
- 3/4 cup fresh arugula and basil pesto (See Note 1) recipe here or store bought pesto is fine too!
- 12 oz fresh mozzarella pearls, halved or mini mozzarella balls
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- balsamic glaze, for drizzling (optional) See Note 2
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a big pinch of salt. Boil orzo to al dente, according to package directions. Drain, rinse in cold water and cool at least to room temperature.
- When orzo is cooled, add it to a large bowl. Stir in pesto until orzo is nicely coated.
- Gently toss in mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes.
- When you're ready to serve, drizzle with balsamic glaze!
maryanne says
Yum! Pesto is one of my favorite foods, and this is a great way to serve it easily and beautifully.
dana says
Simple, refreshing, and perfect for summer! We all loved the flavors. Had it as a side to grilled chicken!
Kim says
Orzo was the perfect pasta for this recipe. I loved the way each piece was coated in that delicious pesto!
Andrea says
Using orzo in this pesto caprese salad is genius. Love the fresh mozzarella pearls and tomatoes with the pesto.
Tara says
Oooh, such a refreshing and fantastic summertime use for orzo. I love all those flavors, especially with the balsamic drizzle over the top.
Sara Welch says
This was a great twist to a delicious recipe! Enjoyed this for dinner and it was a hit all around the table! So simple yet satisfying; loved every bite!
Anjali says
This salad was super easy to make, and the pesto brought a wonderful brightness to the dish! I made a big batch and had it for lunch a few days in a row – it was perfect!
Andrea M. says
The caprese with the pesto is a fantastic flavor combination. My family is going to really enjoy this.
Anita says
I love caprese salad, and I instantly love this caprese salad. It’s easy and delicious.
Jess says
I love how fresh and simple this salad is. A total must for every summer BBQ!