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Orzo Pesto Pasta Salad

Orzo Pesto Pasta Salad

This orzo pesto salad is super easy to make and is full of Mediterranean veggies and flavors! You'll even make your own basil pesto from scratch in just 3 minutes! This is perfect as a meal or a side dish at your summer parties!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Servings 18 .5 cup servings
Calories 225 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dried orzo
  • 1 cup red onion diced
  • 1 cup marinated artichokes drained, chopped
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives halved
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes diced
  • 2/3 cup cucumber (1 mini) diced
  • 1 cup salami chopped
  • 6 oz feta crumbled
  • 1 cup basil pesto
  • 1/2 lemon juiced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 2 cups spinach

Basil Pesto

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 1/4 cup pistachios
  • 1/2 lemon juiced
  • 1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp minced garlic

Instructions
 

  • Prepare orzo according to package directions. 1 cup dried makes about 3.5 cups pasta.
    Be sure to drain the pasta and then rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Shake and drain well.
    1 cup dried orzo
  • If you're making your own pesto, put all pesto ingredients (olive oil, basil, pistachios, lemon juice, Parmesan, salt, garlic) into blender or food processor and blend until becomes a smooth paste.
    2 cups fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup pistachios, 1/2 lemon, 1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1/2 cup olive oil
  • Add all pasta salad ingredients EXCEPT spinach to a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
    1 cup red onion, 1 cup marinated artichokes, 1/2 cup kalamata olives, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 2/3 cup cucumber (1 mini), 1 cup salami, 6 oz feta, 1 cup basil pesto, 1/2 lemon, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  • Toss salad with spinach just before serving and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
    2 cups spinach

Notes

**We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 225kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 6.5gFat: 16.7gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 937mgPotassium: 195mgFiber: 1.7gSugar: 2.8gCalcium: 86mgIron: 1mg
Keyword orzo, salad
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