This Orzo Pasta Salad is a vibrant blend of fresh and colorful ingredients, complemented by a tangy, slightly sweet vinaigrette. It’s a light yet satisfying dish, perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a refreshing side to a main meal!
Course Pasta, Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword Orzo Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 10 minutesminutes
Total Time 25 minutesminutes
Servings 8
Ingredients
Vinaigrette Dressing
1/3cupolive oil
3Tablespoonwhite wine vinegar
1/2TablespoonDijon mustard
1Tablespoonhoney
1/2Teaspoondried basil
1/4Teaspoonsalt
1clovegarlicminced
Pasta Salad
1 1/2cupsuncooked orzo pasta
1cupfrozen corn
3/4cupdried cranberries
1/4cupfresh chopped parsley
1red bell pepper
1yellow bell pepper
2roma tomatoes
1/2red onion
1/4Teaspoonsalt
Instructions
Begin by preparing the vinaigrette. In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, basil, salt, and honey until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Set aside.
Next, cook the orzo pasta as directed on the package. During the final 3 minutes of cooking, add the frozen corn to the boiling water. Once done, drain both the pasta and corn in a colander, then rinse briefly with cool water to slightly chill the pasta.
As the pasta cooks, get the veggies ready. Dice the bell peppers and tomatoes, finely dice the red onion, measure the dried cranberries, and chop the parsley.
Once the pasta and corn are drained, transfer them to a large bowl. Add in the diced vegetables, chopped parsley, and dried cranberries.
Give the vinaigrette a quick stir, then pour it over the pasta salad. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and toss until all ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing. Serve right away or refrigerate until you’re ready to enjoy.