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Spinach, Parmesan and Orzo Salad

by Tina Verrelli 11 Comments
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We love pasta salad at our house…

and this one if definitely a favorite!  It has a nice light dressing and it’s filled with lots of fresh veggies.  It’s the perfect side to your BBQ or picnic favorites.  It’s also delicious with some grilled chicken tossed in – dinner done!

Spinach, Parmesan and Orzo Salad:

Cut Spinach into Thin Strips or Chiffonade: Tear off stems and stack leaves, (Maybe 8 large leaves at a time.)

Roll into “cigar” shape.

Thinly Slice.

Gather all Ingredients and Make Dressing while Orzo cooks.

PERFECT FOR PINNING: ⬇

Collage Photo Showing Spinach Parmesan and Orzo Pasta Salad

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I hope you enjoy the recipe!  Tina ( :

Spinach, Parmesan and Orzo Salad

We love pasta salad at our house... and this one if definitely a favorite!  It has a nice light dressing and it's filled with lots of fresh veggies.  It's the perfect side to your BBQ or picnic favorites.  It's also delicious with some grilled chicken tossed in - dinner done!
Tina Verrelli - epicuricloud.com
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Course: Side Dish
Keyword: Salad, Side Dish
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 pound orzo pasta
  • 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach cut into thin strips
  • 1 (8-ounce) tub pearlini fresh mozzarella see note
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup parmesan grated
  • 1/3 cup oil (I use olive or safflower)
  • 1/2 lemon juiced
  • 1 tablespoon shallot (or red onion) finely minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Heat 6 quarts of salted (approx. 3 tablespoons kosher salt) water to boiling.
  • Cook orzo according to package directions.
  • Drain and rinse* with cold water, drain again.
  • In large bowl, add orzo, spinach, mozzarella, tomatoes and Parmesan.
  • Whisk together oil, lemon juice, shallot, salt and pepper in small bowl and toss with orzo mixture.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be made a day ahead.

Notes

*Pearlini –

If I can’t find the tiny pearlini mozzarella balls, I use the cherry sized ones and quarter them. 
 

Rinsing Pasta –

I don’t generally rinse pasta, except for when I make certain pasta salads, it cools it a little more quickly so the hot pasta doesn’t melt the mozzarella and I find the residual water from rinsing helps make the dressing go a little further.
Tried this recipe?Share it! Tag @epicuricloud - Please Leave A Comment & Rating Below! TY!

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Comments

  5. This sounds like a recipe that my girls would love. They don’t like pasta salad when I use the larger size pastas, so the orzo will be a nice change. Thanks, Tina!

    Reply

    • Have a great weekend Annemarie! Hope your girls enjoy the pasta salad as much as mine! ❤️

      Reply

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