Best 3 Whole Wheat Orzo Salad Recipes

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Whole wheat orzo salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It is made with whole wheat orzo, a small, pasta shaped like rice, and a variety of vegetables, herbs, and dressing. Whole wheat orzo salad is a healthy and flavorful option that is perfect for a summer picnic or a quick and easy weeknight meal. There are many different ways to make whole wheat orzo salad, so you can easily customize it to your own taste. You can add different vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, or zucchini. You can also add different herbs, such as basil, oregano, or thyme. And you can use a variety of dressings, such as a simple vinaigrette, a creamy ranch dressing, or a tangy lemon-herb dressing.

Let's cook with our recipes!

WHOLE WHEAT ORZO SALAD



Whole Wheat Orzo Salad image

In less than 30 minutes, I can put together this hearty salad of pasta, white beans and veggies - and it's good for a crowd. - Mya Zeronis, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

2-1/2 cups uncooked whole wheat orzo pasta (about 1 pound)
1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
3 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
1 English cucumber, finely chopped
2 cups crumbled feta cheese
1-1/4 cups pitted Greek olives (about 6 ounces), chopped
1 medium sweet yellow pepper, finely chopped
1 medium green pepper, finely chopped
1 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain orzo; rinse with cold water., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Stir in orzo. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 411 calories, Fat 17g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 740mg sodium, Carbohydrate 51g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 13g fiber), Protein 14g protein.

WHOLE-WHEAT ORZO SALAD WITH BROCCOLI-PINE NUT PESTO



Whole-Wheat Orzo Salad with Broccoli-Pine Nut Pesto image

Create this Whole-Wheat Orzo Salad with Broccoli-Pine Nut Pesto that's adapted with permission from "Super Natural Every Day: Well-Loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen" by Heidi Swanson, copyright 2011. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House, Inc.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 10

Fine-grained sea salt
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat orzo
5 cups broccoli florets and thinly sliced stems
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup creme fraiche
1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season generously with salt, add orzo, and cook according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and drain well again.
  • Meanwhile, cook the broccoli. Bring 3/4 cup water to a boil in a large pot. Add a big pinch of salt and stir in the broccoli. Cover and cook for 1 minute until bright green but still slightly crunchy. Drain the broccoli in a strainer and run under cold water to stop the cooking. Drain well and set aside.
  • Make the pesto: Combine 2 cups of the cooked broccoli, garlic, three-quarters of the pine nuts, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice in a food processor. Drizzle in olive oil and creme fraiche and pulse until smooth.
  • Toss orzo and remaining cooked broccoli florets with about two-thirds of the broccoli pesto and the lemon zest. Thin with a bit of warm water to desired consistency. Adjust seasoning by adding more salt, lemon juice, or pesto as desired. Fold in avocado. Serve topped with remaining pine nuts.

SUMMER ORZO SALAD



Summer Orzo Salad image

Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian

Categories     side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 bunch scallions
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2/3 cup Kalamata or cured black olives, pitted and chopped
1 cup diced cucumber
1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
1/4 cup fresh chives, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 red onion, finely diced
6 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

Steps:

  • Preheat a grill to high heat.
  • Toss the scallions in a bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the scallions until the bulbs are tender and the greens are well-charred, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool. (Alternately, you can char the scallions in a cast-iron pan on the stove.) Chop the white and light green parts finely, then discard the remaining ends of the scallions.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the orzo. Drop in the orzo and begin to cook. Meanwhile, add the chopped scallions to a medium bowl. Add the vinegar, Dijon mustard, remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and half of the olives and whisk until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
  • When the pasta is finished cooking, drain and rinse to cool. Immediately toss in some of the vinaigrette, along with the cucumber, tomatoes, herbs, red onion and remaining olives. Mix well. Add more dressing to taste. Top with the goat cheese and serve.

Tips:

  • Choose the right orzo: Whole wheat orzo is a healthier option than white orzo, as it is higher in fiber and nutrients. Look for orzo that is made from 100% whole wheat flour.
  • Cook the orzo al dente: Orzo should be cooked until it is al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad.
  • Use a variety of vegetables: This recipe calls for bell peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes, but you can use any vegetables that you like. Some other good options include zucchini, carrots, and celery.
  • Make a flavorful dressing: The dressing for this salad is made with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. You can adjust the proportions of these ingredients to taste.
  • Chill the salad before serving: This salad is best served chilled. This will allow the flavors to meld together and will make it more refreshing.

Conclusion:

This whole wheat orzo salad is a healthy and delicious side dish or main course. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With its colorful vegetables and flavorful dressing, this salad is sure to be a hit at your next potluck or picnic.

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