Orzo Pasta with Basil & Veggies
This colorful orzo pasta salad is nutritious, filling, and can be made in about 20 minutes. It's loaded with green peas, tomatoes, basil, and a simple balsamic dijon sauce that is absolutely delicious!
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 224kcal
Ingredients
Orzo Pasta
- 8 oz orzo pasta I use whole wheat
- 1-1/2 cups cherry tomatoes sliced
- 1 cup frozen green peas thawed
- 1 tablespoon basil fresh or dry
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds or pinenuts optional
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Dressing
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar white or dark
- 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup optional
Instructions
Orzo Pasta
- Cook orzo pasta according to package directions by boiling in water on the stovetop for approximately 9-minutes.
- Drain and run under cool water in a colander to stop the cooking process. Don't skip this part because it helps to keep the pasta from overcooking, and it also reduces the stickiness of the pasta.
- While the orzo is cooking, defrost the frozen green peas by placing them in a colander and running warm water over them. Set them to the side.
- Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and mince fresh basil if using it. Dried basil is also a good choice for this recipe. I sometimes add a combination of both dried and fresh basil.
- Next, you'll want to whisk up the simple dressing that only takes about a minute.
- In a large bowl, add the balsamic dressing to the cooked orzo, tomatoes, green peas, spices, and basil. Mix together well and toss in a few pine nuts or sesame seeds and a little salt and pepper. Serve immediately or chill first.
Balsamic Dressing
- Whisk together balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, and maple syrup in a small bowl.
Video
Notes
Pro Tips & Suggestions:
- Dressing- Dark balsamic makes the dish a little darker, so use white balsamic if you prefer it to be lighter in color.
- Tomatoes- If you don't have cherry tomatoes, diced fresh tomatoes or even canned tomatoes will work.
- Gluten-Free- To make this dish gluten-free, you will need to use gluten-free orzo pasta.
- Pasta- Be sure not to overcook the pasta because it will become mushy.
- Peas- Though cooked green peas can be used, I highly recommend using the frozen variety for the texture and color.
Nutrition
Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 9.2g | Fat: 3.1g | Fiber: 2.6g