Orzo Salad

Health score
18%
Orzo Salad
300 min.
12
260kcal

Suggestions


If you're looking for a refreshing, flavorful dish to complement your next meal or impress your guests, this Orzo Salad is the perfect choice! With a delightful combination of tender orzo pasta, fresh mozzarella, roasted bell peppers, and a tangy lemon dressing, this salad brings a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The crunchy pine nuts add a nice contrast to the softness of the cheese and the fresh arugula leaves, making each bite a satisfying experience.

This vibrant salad is not only delicious but also versatile, serving as a side dish, antipasti, or even a light snack. The roasted pine nuts and radicchio bring a depth of flavor, while the bright lemon dressing adds a zesty twist. Perfect for gatherings or a casual meal, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it’s easy to make ahead, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your company!

With its hearty yet light ingredients, this Orzo Salad is packed with nutrients, offering a good balance of protein, healthy fats, and carbs. Whether you serve it as a starter or a side, it’s guaranteed to be a hit at your next meal. So grab your ingredients, preheat the oven, and get ready to make a salad that will keep everyone coming back for more!

Ingredients

  • 2.5 ounces baby arugula chopped
  • 0.5 pounds mozzarella fresh cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  •  garlic clove finely minced
  • 0.3 cup juice of lemon fresh to taste
  • 0.5 cup olive oil extra virgin extra-virgin
  • pound orzo pasta 
  • 0.5 cup pinenuts 
  • 2.5 ounces radicchio thinly chopped
  • 12 ounce roasted peppers drained chopped

Equipment

  • bowl
  • frying pan
  • oven
  • whisk
  • pot
  • colander

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.
  2. Roast pine nuts in a rimmed sheet pan until golden, about 8 minutes.
  3. Cook orzo in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until tender, then drain well in a colander.
  4. Meanwhile, whisk together lemon juice, oil, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl.
  5. Add hot orzo to dressing and toss.
  6. Let orzo come to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
  7. Add pine nuts, peppers, mozzarella, arugula, and radicchio and toss well.
  8. Season salad with salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice, if desired.
  9. •Orzo salad can be made 2 hours ahead and kept at room temperature. Leftovers can be chilled, but for entertaining purposes, the salad is at its best when made fresh and not refrigerated.

Nutrition Facts

Calories260kcal
Protein15.83%
Fat36.33%
Carbs47.84%

Properties

Glycemic Index
10.92
Glycemic Load
11.52
Inflammation Score
-5
Nutrition Score
11.789565138195%

Flavonoids

Cyanidin
7.5mg
Delphinidin
0.45mg
Eriodictyol
0.25mg
Hesperetin
0.74mg
Naringenin
0.07mg
Apigenin
0.01mg
Luteolin
2.25mg
Isorhamnetin
0.25mg
Kaempferol
2.06mg
Quercetin
2.35mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:260.13kcal
13.01%
Fat:10.59g
16.3%
Saturated Fat:3.14g
19.61%
Carbohydrates:31.39g
10.46%
Net Carbohydrates:29.47g
10.72%
Sugar:1.69g
1.88%
Cholesterol:14.93mg
4.98%
Sodium:512.01mg
22.26%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:10.39g
20.77%
Manganese:0.92mg
46.23%
Selenium:27.34µg
39.05%
Vitamin K:26.09µg
24.85%
Vitamin C:16.63mg
20.16%
Phosphorus:182.58mg
18.26%
Calcium:127.25mg
12.73%
Copper:0.25mg
12.43%
Magnesium:44.96mg
11.24%
Zinc:1.57mg
10.46%
Vitamin A:418.89IU
8.38%
Fiber:1.93g
7.7%
Vitamin B12:0.43µg
7.18%
Iron:1.25mg
6.95%
Vitamin E:1.03mg
6.85%
Vitamin B6:0.13mg
6.48%
Potassium:219.51mg
6.27%
Folate:24.87µg
6.22%
Vitamin B2:0.11mg
6.19%
Vitamin B3:1.1mg
5.52%
Vitamin B1:0.07mg
4.83%
Vitamin B5:0.27mg
2.68%
Source:Epicurious