Imagine a dish that captures the essence of summer in every single bite - crisp vegetables, perfectly cooked pasta, and a zesty dressing that dances on your taste buds. This Summer Vegetable Orzo Pasta Salad isn't just a recipe; it's a culinary adventure that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1 cup of orzo pasta, 1 diced zucchini, 1 diced bell pepper, 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup of diced red onion, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil, 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste.
- In a medium pot, bring 4 cups of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
- While the orzo is cooking, prepare your vegetables. Dice the zucchini and bell pepper, halve the cherry tomatoes, and finely chop the red onion and fresh basil.
- Once the orzo is cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Allow it to drain completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, diced zucchini, diced bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, and chopped basil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to create a dressing. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.
- Pour the dressing over the orzo and vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are well coated with the dressing.
- Let the salad sit for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. You can also refrigerate it for a couple of hours if you prefer it chilled.
- Before serving, give the salad a final toss and adjust seasoning if necessary. Enjoy your refreshing Summer Vegetable Orzo Pasta Salad!
Tips
- Always rinse your cooked orzo with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from becoming mushy.
- For maximum flavor, let the salad rest for at least 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to marinate.
- Use fresh, high-quality olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice for the most vibrant dressing.
- Feel free to customize by adding proteins like grilled chicken or feta cheese for extra richness.
- This salad tastes even better the next day, so don't hesitate to make it in advance for meal prep or potlucks.
- Ensure your vegetables are uniformly chopped for a beautiful presentation and consistent texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 220kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
