Description
Orzo Pasta Salad is a light yet hearty dish filled with fresh, vibrant flavors and a delightful mix of textures. Featuring smoky turkey bacon, creamy plant-based cheese, and a zesty natural dressing, this salad is perfect for quick meals, family dinners, picnics, or potlucks. Easy to prepare in under 30 minutes, it offers balanced nutrition with protein, fiber, and fresh vegetables and is highly customizable to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese, cubed or crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (natural)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo Pasta: Boil the orzo pasta in salted water for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and rinse under cool water to stop cooking and prevent sticking, creating a light, fluffy base.
- Prepare the Smoked Turkey Bacon: While the orzo cooks, heat a non-stick pan and cook smoked turkey bacon until crisp. Remove and chop into bite-sized pieces for a savory, smoky texture.
- Chop Fresh Vegetables and Herbs: Dice cucumber, halve cherry tomatoes, finely chop red onion, and coarsely chop parsley to add freshness, color, and crunch.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil (natural), lemon juice (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), salt, and black pepper to create a zesty dressing that balances the salad.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss cooled orzo pasta with smoked turkey bacon, chopped vegetables, plant-based cheese, and parsley. Drizzle the dressing over and mix gently until evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Serve cold or at room temperature for optimal taste and texture.
Notes
- Cook orzo al dente to maintain texture when mixed with dressing.
- Use fresh vegetables for optimal crunch and flavor.
- Add plant-based cheese just before serving to keep it creamy.
- Toss salad gently to avoid mashing or crushing ingredients.
- Adjust salt, pepper, and lemon juice at the end to suit your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: orzo pasta salad, plant-based cheese salad, smoked turkey bacon salad, quick pasta salad, Mediterranean pasta salad
