orzo salad pesto

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

lemon juice

grape tomatoes, halved

Kalamata olives

cucumber,

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.

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Easy Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad

Top 1 orzo salad pesto recipes from across the web

The most viewed orzo salad pesto recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Easy Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad

The most viewed orzo salad pesto recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine