Description
Orzo Pasta Salad is a refreshing, vibrant dish combining tender orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, smoky turkey, and creamy plant-based cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is perfect as a quick lunch, side dish, or healthy meal prep option. This colorful salad offers a balanced texture and flavor profile to brighten any meal occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 1 cup smoked turkey, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Cheese and Dressing
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese, crumbled
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta well using a fine mesh sieve, then rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down for a refreshing texture.
- Prepare the Vegetables and Protein: While the orzo cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumbers, finely slice the red onion, and roughly chop the parsley. Cut the smoked turkey into bite-sized pieces to make assembling the salad quick and easy.
- Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until the dressing is emulsified. This dressing will add a bright and balanced tangy-savory flavor to the salad.
- Combine and Toss: In a large bowl, mix the cooled orzo, smoked turkey, prepared vegetables, plant-based cheese, and parsley. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to evenly distribute flavors and moisture.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together, creating a cohesive and delightful dish perfect for any occasion.
Notes
- Drain orzo thoroughly to prevent sogginess.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavor and texture.
- Cut ingredients uniformly for consistent bites and presentation.
- Adjust salt and pepper gradually to avoid over-seasoning.
- Use fresh herbs and crisp vegetables for best flavor and crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Orzo salad, pasta salad, smoked turkey salad, plant-based cheese salad, quick lunch, meal prep salad
