Caprese Orzo Salad. This caprese orzo salad is just perfect for all of the summer produce happening right now. My garden is about to be overflowing with ripe tomatoes at any second and my basil plant is out of control. This Caprese orzo salad is a delicious spring and summer side dish - perfect for a picnic or family barbecue.

This orzo pasta salad hits all the high notes by using year- round juicy and flavorful cherry tomatoes What do you do when tomatoes aren't in season but you're craving the classic Italian Caprese Salad? Caprese Orzo Salad is a delicious fresh tasting pasta salad. Light enough to have as a side dish, or as a light lunch. You can have Caprese Orzo Salad using 10 ingredients and 3 steps. Here is how you cook it.

Ingredients of Caprese Orzo Salad

You need 1 cup of dry orzo pasta.
You need 1 pint of cherry tomatoes.
Prepare 1 (8 oz) of container of mozzarella pearls.
It's handful of chopped fresh basil.
Prepare 1/2 cup of olive oil.
Prepare 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar.
You need 2 tsp of dijon mustard.
It's 2 of garlic cloves minced.
Prepare pinch of salt and pepper.
It's 2 tsp of honey.

Even better if you can make this Caprese Orzo pasta salad ahead of time. Be the first to review this recipe. If not serving immediately, salad should be kept refrigerated and extra dressing should be added just before serving. Orzo pasta is tossed with artichoke hearts, cucumber, feta, tomato, olives and a zesty dressing.

Caprese Orzo Salad instructions

Cook the orzo in salted water according to package directions. Drain and set aside to cool, tossing occasionally so that the orzo doesn't clump together..
While the orzo is cooking and cooling, prepare the dressing by combining the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. You may whisk it vigorously in a bowl, shake it in a tightly-sealed jar, or pulse it in a mini food processor..
Once the orzo is cool, transfer to a large bowl. Carefully mix in fresh mozzarella, tomato halves, basil chiffonade, and about 2/3 of the prepared vinaigrette, or as much as you prefer. Adjust salt and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate and serve chilled, stirring in additional dressing just before serving (since the dressing will soak into the pasta while in the fridge)..

Caprese Orzo Salad is a vibrant summer pasta salad featuring juicy tomatoes, creamy balls of mozzarella, and ribbons of fresh basil. Pour pasta into strainer and run cold water on pasta to prevent further cooking. Greek Orzo Salad is perfect to make year-round and it goes perfectly with grilled chicken. It's a healthy and filling, veggie-packed pasta salad, and of course if you want to make it even healthier you could. Recipe for Caprese Orzo Salad: this orzo pasta salad hits all the high notes by using year-round juicy and flavorful cherry tomatoes, melt-in-your-mouth bocconcini and slivers of chopped sweet basil.