Pesto orzo salad with spinach is a refreshing summer salad with fresh flavors! Tender orzo pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and flavorful pesto combine to make this delicious summer pasta salad. Easy and quick to make for a light summer salad or as a side dish for summer parties.
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Lyndsey's Favorite Things About This Orzo Pesto Salad
- Fresh. Full of fresh veggies and bright flavors - just like this pesto tortellini salad!
- Quick and Easy. A 10-minute quick meal for hot summer nights!
- Meal Prep Favorite. Pasta salads are great meal prep for a week of healthy lunches.
- Easy Summer Meal. Great for summer picnics, parties, and BBQs.
- Versatile. Add a protein like grilled chicken, seared shrimp, or pesto salmon for an entree salad you can serve warm or cold.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Orzo pasta. Orzo is a small pasta shape that resembles rice in appearance. It provides structure and texture.
- Chopped baby spinach. Spinach is a nutritious leafy green lettuce that acts as the base of the salad. Making pesto orzo salad with spinach makes it more of an entree salad than a side dish.
- Fresh Tomatoes. Grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes add freshness, texture, and a bit of sweetness, just like in our bow tie pasta salad with Italian dressing.
- Mozzarella cheese. Fresh mozzarella cheese provides a salty and cheesy component. Shredded or cubed mozzarella works, or look for small mozzarella balls. Parmesan cheese also works in this recipe.
- Fresh Basil. Basil complements the pesto flavor and gives the salad added freshness.
- Fresh Pesto. Basil pesto is a herb-flavored and vibrant sauce that is the main flavor in this salad. You can use store-bought pesto or make your own simple homemade pesto sauce.
Flavor and Ingredient Variations
Experiment with these other flavors and ingredient variations when making orzo salad:
- Mediterranean: includes sun-dried tomatoes, white beans or chickpeas, chopped bell pepper, cucumbers, feta cheese, and lemon juice.
- Greek: fresh dill, chopped red onion, pine nuts, kalamata olives, and cucumbers.
- Caprese: cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil.
- Veggie: bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, vinaigrette.
- Lemon dill: dill, lemon juice, lemon zest.
- Protein orzo salad: Add in grilled Greek chicken for an entree.
How to Make This Pesto Orzo Salad Recipe
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
Step 1 - Cook the Orzo
Cook orzo to the "al dente" package directions in a large pot of water. Drain the pasta and then rinse it with cold water.
Step 2 - Combine Orzo and Pesto
Add the cooked pasta and pesto to a large bowl. Mix the cooked orzo and pesto gently.
Step 3 - Add Fresh Ingredients
Stir in halved cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, chopped fresh basil leaves, and olive oil.
Step 4 - Combine and Season
Add chopped spinach and olive oil to the bowl. Use salad tongs to mix everything. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tips for Making Pesto Orzo Pasta Salad
- Chop spinach. Chop fresh spinach into smaller pieces before adding it to the pesto orzo salad for a chopped salad texture.
- Skip the spinach. Omit spinach for a classic orzo cold pasta salad.
- Season to taste. Taste the salad before serving it. Adjust the seasoning as needed. You may need to add extra pesto, extra virgin olive oil, salt, or pepper, according to your preferences.
- Don't freeze! Freezing is not recommended.
Make Ahead
Make this orzo pesto salad up to 3 days in advance. Add more pesto or olive oil when serving.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Spinach may wilt the longer it is stored, which is OK.
What to Serve With Orzo Salad with Pesto
Pesto orzo salad is a delicious light summer meal for hot days.
Add pesto orzo salad to one of these protein recipes for a complete meal:
- Baked Greek salmon
- Pan-seared garlic shrimp or
- Air fryer Greek chicken
Serve orzo pesto salad as a side dish to any of these delicious summer main dishes:
Recipe FAQs
Orzo is pasta that is shaped like large grains of rice. It is made from wheat semolina flour, unlike rice, which is a seed.
Orzo salad is similar to pasta salad. Orzo salad has a base of orzo pasta, a vinaigrette or dressing, vegetables, cheese, and sometimes meat.
There are many varieties of orzo salad. In addition to this pesto orzo salad, you can make different flavor variations such as Mediterranean, Greek, Caprese, and more.
Any small pasta shape, such as Ditalini, Stelline, couscous, or even quinoa, works in this pesto orzo salad.
This orzo salad can be served at room temperature, warm, or cold.
Other Delicious Summer Salads to Try!
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Easy Basil Pesto Orzo Salad Recipe
Equipment
- large salad bowl
- salad tongs
- colander
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh spinach chopped
- ⅓ cup pesto more to taste
- 8 oz. orzo pasta cooked
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 6 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil more to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil more if needed
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook orzo according to package "al dente" directions. Rinse in a colander under cold water.8 oz. orzo pasta
- In a large bowl, combine orzo and pesto until well combined.⅓ cup pesto
- Stir in tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.1 cup cherry tomatoes, 6 oz fresh mozzarella pearls, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- Use salad tongs to incorporate the fresh spinach and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.1 cup fresh spinach, 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper
Notes
- Season to taste and add additional olive oil or pesto if needed.
- Storage: Make ahead or store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Spinach tends to wilt the longer it is stored, which is OK.
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