5 from 9 votes
Healthy Orzo Salad
This Healthy Orzo Salad is so easy to make! Featuring fresh veggies and a speedy homemade cilantro lime dressing, you'll want to make this pasta salad again and again!I included the recipes for my cilantro lime dressing and simple Italian dressing - choose your favorite!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
18 mins
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
252 kcal
Course:
Side Dish, Salad
Cuisine:
Tex-Mex
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups orzo pasta dry
- 2.5 cups bell pepper any color, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomato
- ¼ cup green onion chopped
- cilantro fresh, for garnish
- tortilla chips optional, for serving
CILANTRO LIME DRESSING
- 2 lime juiced
- ¼ cup avocado oil (or light olive oil)
- 1 TBSP white wine vinegar
- ½ tsp salt sea salt
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp cumin
- ⅛ tsp paprika
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- 2 TBSP cilantro chopped, fresh
ITALIAN-STYLE DRESSING
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar
- 1 TBSP Italian seasoning blend Mrs Dash brand
- ½ TBSP garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- black pepper to taste, freshly ground
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 1.5 cups dry orzo pasta and a pinch of salt and cook for 8 minutes or until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water (I do this using a fine mesh sieve, easy peasy!) to halt the cooking process. Add pasta to a large bowl and set aside.
- While your noodles cook, chop your veggies and make the dressing.
- I paired this salad with fresh cilantro and my go-to cilantro lime dressing. Not a fan of cilantro? Skip it entirely and opt for the Italian dressing recipe above! To make the dressing, combine ingredients in a lidded jar and shake vigorously to emulsify. Allow to sit while you toss together your salad, then shake again before serving.
- Add all your veggies to the orzo with the dressing and mix well. Salad may be enjoyed right away (room temperature) or chilled briefly before serving. Both options are delicious!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Feel free to top with any of your favorite pasta salad extras if you'd like! Some may like to add feta, olives, or even chickpeas to the mix. Have fun with it and be sure to let me know what deliciousness you cook up!
- Making this salad ahead of time? It's great the next day and fabulous in packed lunches for work, school, or picnics. Simply make a little extra dressing to drizzle over the salad the next day, as the pasta will soak up a some of the dressing while it chills. SO GOOD!
- Nutrition facts below are an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
Nutrition Information
Calories
252kcal
(13%)
Carbohydrates
35g
(12%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Sodium
202mg
(8%)
Potassium
303mg
(6%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
2150IU
(43%)
Vitamin C
92.2mg
(102%)
Calcium
25mg
(3%)
Iron
1.1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 252
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 252kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 35g | 12% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 202mg | 8% |
| Potassium | 303mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 2150IU | 43% |
| Vitamin C | 92.2mg | 102% |
| Calcium | 25mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1.1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.