Easy Mediterranean Orzo Pesto Pasta Salad

Easy Mediterranean Orzo Pesto Pasta Salad - This Pasta Salad with Basil Pesto combines fresh Vegetables, Orzo and Pesto for either a fresh easy light lunch recipe or a party side. This easy side dish/weeknight meal is ready to eat in 15 minutes and is packed full of flavour.

If you love Pesto, you might also like M & S Pesto Pasta Salad.

If you love Orzo, you may also like One Pot Lemon Chicken and Thyme Orzo or Creamy Chicken, Orzo and Mushroom Soup.

Easy Mediterranean Orzo Pesto Pasta Salad

Fresh Juicy Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, Kalamata Olives, and Spinach make this Pasta Salad a really popular pot luck/picnic/summer bbq side. 

It can easily be turned into a main meal by adding some Tuna, Salmon or Chicken to the Salad or serve orzo alongside any of the above for a complete meal.

What is Pesto?

Pesto is a sauce made up of fresh Garlic, Pine Nuts, Basil and a hard cheese such as Parmesan or Pecorino. The recipe originated in Genoa, Italy.

Pesto Pasta Salad Ingredients

This Easy Mediterranean Orzo Pesto Pasta Salad is made with a handful of ingredients. They are:

Orzo 

A rice shaped pasta that is also known as risoni. It can be found in the pasta aisle of most grocery stores.

You can make this recipe with any small pasta shapes such as macaroni.

Orzo cooks very quickly - about 6 - 7 minutes.

Salt

To generously salt the water to boil the Orzo.

Ingredients for the fresh Pesto

Fresh basil Leaves

You can of course use store-brought Pesto but I find that homemade pesto is just better.

This can be done in a Food Processor or a Pestle and Motor. 

Pine nuts

I would highly recommend shopping around for these because some stores sell them at a ludicrous price.

I managed to get them at half the price in an International Supermarket as opposed to the big supermarkets.

I tend to lightly toast them before using but that is completely optional.

Garlic Cloves

You can adjust the quantity of Garlic you use to your taste.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Use the best quality you can as it is such a huge part of the recipe.

Parmesan Cheese

Use freshly grated parmesan or Grana Padana.

Salt and Pepper

Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly.

Kalamata Olives, Baby Spinach, Rocket, whole cherry Tomatoes (or halved)

You can use any veggies you like such as Red Onion, Corn, Peas, Peppers.

Feta Cheese

Crumbled or Feta chopped into bite-sized pieces adds some salty, tangy goodness.

How to prepare the Pesto Orzo Salad Recipe

The full recipe can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page. Here is an overview:

Cook the orzo in a large pot of water over high heat until al dente according to the packet instructions.

Strain and rinse under cold water. Place into a bowl and set aside. 

At this stage you can toast the pine nuts in a dry pan for 1 minute  until lightly golden.

Add Basil Leaves, Garlic, Pine Nuts, Parmesan, Oil and Salt and Pepper to a food processor and blend/pulse to a course paste. 

In a large bowl combine the pesto and pasta by pouring the Pesto over the cooked orzo and stir in.

Add the remaining ingredients -  chopped Tomatoes, Kalamata Olive Slices, chopped Feta, a few Spinach and Rocket Leaves.

Decant to a serving bowl and enjoy.

How to serve this Mediterranean Orzo Salad

This delicious pasta salad makes the perfect side dish to any grilled meat or fish dish. Try it with:

Garlic Bread

Chicken

Roast Chicken

Prawns

A big green Salad

Roast Vegetables 

What to add to Pesto Pasta 

The great thing about this pasta salad is you can absolutely make it your own. Here are a few ideas.

• Add meat or fish - Such as Chicken Breast, Rotisserie Chicken, Salmon, Prawns,  or Tuna.  
• Add Beans - Such as mixed Beans, Cannelini Beans, Chickpeas, Kidnesy Beans or any other Beans.
• Swap the cheese - Serve it with fresh Mozzarella, Mozzarella Pearls, Goat Cheese or even these Halloumi Fries.
• Add Veggies - Such as Asparagus Spears, chopped cucumber, green salty olives, chopped bell Pepper, Sundried Tomatoes, Roasted Peppers.
• Serve with toasted Seeds or Nuts - Such as Pine Nuts, Sunflower Seeds.
• Top with crunchy Veg - Such as Green Onions/Spring Onions.
• Try a different Pasta - Any small Pasta shape will work in this recipe. 

Tips to make the BEST Orzo Pesto Salad Recipe

Reserve some of the pasta water

Reserving some of the pasta water and adding it to the pesto makes for a super silky pesto sauce. 

Add fresh leaves at the very end

If you are adding any fresh leaves, add them at the end so they don’t wilt and become mushy.

Toss pasta in a bowl

Toss the pasta and pesto together in a large bowl rather then in a warm pot. Basil doesn't like heat.

Eat salad at room temperature

It is best to eat this pasta chilled. Re heating pesto pasta is ok but it is definitely better cold.

Add some fresh Lemon juice at the end

This adds some lift and a tangy freshness. 

Storage for Pesto Pasta

Leftover orzo pasta salad will last in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

To serve, remove from the fridge 30 minutes before eating. 

Recipe FAQ’s

How long does orzo pesto salad keep?

If you keep it in the fridge in an airtight container, it will keep well for up to 3 days.

Can I make Pesto Sauce ahead of time?

Yes you can. Store in a clean jar and drizzle over a little olive oil. Then close tightly and keep in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.

If you like this Pesto Pasta recipe, why not try:

Easy, Creamy & Spicy Harissa Pasta

Butter Chicken Pasta

Gigi Hadid Viral Spicy Pasta without Vodka

Masala Pasta with Chicken and Cheese

Creamy Chicken, Orzo and Mushroom Soup

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