Description
Orzo Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tender orzo pasta with crisp vegetables, smoky turkey bacon, and creamy plant-based cheese. Quick to prepare and versatile, this salad is perfect as a light lunch or colorful side, offering a refreshing balance of textures and tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese, crumbled or diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (natural)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo: Begin by boiling the orzo pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool, ensuring it doesn’t clump together as you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- Prepare the Turkey Bacon: While the orzo cooks, crisp the smoked turkey bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden and slightly crunchy. Once cooled, chop it into bite-sized pieces to distribute evenly throughout the salad.
- Chop the Vegetables: Dice the cucumbers and halve the cherry tomatoes. Thinly slice the red onion to add a punch of flavor that blends perfectly with the creamy and smoky elements.
- Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice (natural), olive oil (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), salt, and pepper to create a simple but bright dressing that brings the salad together.
- Combine Everything: In a large bowl, toss the cooled orzo, turkey bacon pieces, chopped vegetables, and fresh herbs. Drizzle the dressing over the mixture and gently fold in the plant-based cheese for a creamy finish.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Do not overcook the orzo to avoid mushiness; al dente texture is best for salads.
- Rinse or toss orzo with a bit of olive oil (natural) to prevent sticking as it cools.
- Adjust lemon juice and apple cider vinegar (natural) to suit your personal taste for acidity.
- Use fresh parsley or basil for maximum aroma and color vibrancy.
- Prepare the salad a few hours in advance so the flavors marry beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Cooking on stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: orzo pasta salad, turkey bacon salad, plant-based cheese, quick pasta salad, Mediterranean salad, healthy pasta salad
