Pesto Orzo Salad

Super Fresh and Delicious, this simple pesto orzo pasta salad recipe combines orzo, nut free pesto and tomatoes. It's a recipe that you will want to repeat all summer long.

Every year we grow a ton of basil in our garden, making fresh pesto is one of our favorite ways to use and store basil. This delicious pesto and orzo salad is a family favorite and a great way to use your fresh pesto and other garden grown ingredients.

What is Pesto Orzo Salad

We use fresh cherry, grape or sun gold tomatoes that we grow right in our backyard, and fresh mozzarella cheese in this pesto orzo salad. These fresh ingredients are key, but the true star of this recipe is the fresh basil pesto. This pasta salad takes on a bright green color and is bursting with delicious garden inspired flavor. It will be a side dish that you want make and share over and over again.

What to pair Pesto ORzo with

• Chicken
• Fish
• Barbecue
• Roasted Vegetables
• So much more!

Ingredients

Although fresh ingredients are recommended for this recipe the are not entirely necessary. There are some excellent versions of store bought pesto, or buying the ingredients to make your own is also a great option! One ingredient that I highly recommend you buy fresh is the mozzarella, you can buy this at many grocery stores including Trader Joes and it is packed in water. I like the Trader Joes Ciliegine mozzarella balls, but Bel Gioioso, and Galbani also make a similar product. I typically buy the non marinated version as the marinated version comes packed in oil. You can also make your own fresh mozzarella if you have the time!

Pesto Orzo Salad Ingredient List

1. Orzo Pasta,
2. Ciliegine or other fresh Mozzarella Balls.
3. Homemade Basil Pesto.
4. Fresh from the garden, Cherry, Grape or Sun gold tomatoes.
5. Extra basil for garnish.
6. Good extra virgin olive oil.
7. Salt.

Ideas for simplifying the ingredients

• Use a good store bought pesto.
• Buy fresh cherry or grape tomatoes.
• use store bought basil for garnish.

Directions

1. Start by boiling your pasta water, add at least one tablespoon of salt to the water.
2. Next prepare your other ingredients, half or quarter the tomatoes, and depending on the size of fresh mozzarella that you chose half or quarter those as well. If you purchased the larger size fresh mozzarella balls or burrata, I recommend dicing the pieces in to ¼ inch pieces to help them melt into the salad.
3. Cook entire package of orzo pasta using instructions on box or bag.
4. drain pasta and do not rinse, I recommend using a mesh colander.
5. Replace the orzo back into the pot that it cooked in and immediately add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
6. Allow for the moisture to evaporate off of the pasta about one minute.
7. Add pesto, mozzarella, tomatoes and salt to taste.
8. Mix well and allow to cool.
9. garnish with extra basil, if you wish!

Tips for eating your pesto Orzo salad

• This recipe is a great dish to make ahead and store in the refrigerator until needed.
• Great for pack and-go dining, lunches, picnics, you get the idea.
• Excellent side dish for a pot-luck or BBQ.
• This is an easy recipe to double or triple for large parties or gatherings.