Description
Pesto Orzo Salad with Cherry Tomatoes is a vibrant and refreshing dish that combines the delightful chewiness of orzo pasta with the fresh flavors of basil, cherry tomatoes, and a homemade pesto dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings or quick weeknight dinners, this salad is not only colorful but also bursting with flavor. Serve it as a side or a light main course, and enjoy the compliments from friends and family!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the orzo pasta in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, and Parmesan cheese. Blend until finely chopped. Gradually add olive oil while blending until smooth.
- In a large bowl, mix halved cherry tomatoes with cooked orzo.
- Add the pesto to the mixture and toss gently until well-coated. Squeeze lemon juice over the top and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately or chill in the fridge before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 10mg