In today’s post, I’m sharing a delicious Green Orzo Pasta Salad that my family has been loving lately. It’s perfect for serving as a main meal on a warm summer’s evening, but would also make a great addition to work or school lunchboxes. It’s really easy to make and ready in 30 minutes or less.
Orzo is the pasta of choice for this dish. In appearance, it looks like giant grains of rice! It feels much lighter than regular pastas, making it perfect for salads.
Asparagus spears, sugar snap peas, courgette and edamame beans give this dish a beautiful green hue and fresh taste. They are very lightly cooked or served raw, so that they retain their vibrant colours and nutrients.
The pasta is coasted in a creamy, herby dressing that’s made with non-dairy yogurt, extra virgin olive oil and fresh green herbs. Not only does it taste amazing on pasta, but it’s also far healthier than traditional creamy salad dressings.
This pasta salad is packed full of nutritional goodness. It’s a rich source of protein, dietary fibre, heart healthy fats, antioxidants and a whole array of vitamins (A, B, C, E, K) and minerals (including iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium and zinc). This is a meal that’s going to leave you feeling energised and ‘zinging’ on the inside!!
Recipe Card
Green Orzo Pasta Salad with Creamy Herby Dressing
Ingredients
- 400 g / 14 oz orzo pasta
- 200 g / 7 oz asparagus trimmed* and chopped
- 150 g / 1½ cups sugar snap peas trimmed
- 160 g / 1 cup edamame beans (I use frozen)
- 1 medium courgette (zucchini) thinly sliced
For the creamy herby dressing:
- 250 g / 1 cup plain dairy-free yogurt (I used Alpro plain)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- small handful (about 5 g) basil leaves
- small handful (about 5 g) flat leaf parsley leaves
- ½ tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp garlic granules
- ¼ tsp salt
For garnish:
- 50 g / ½ cup toasted walnuts
- 2 TBSP toasted sunflower seeds
- 2 TBSP toasted pumpkin seeds
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare two pans of boiling water. In one pan, cook the pasta until al dente (about 9 minutes). Drain and rinse the pasta under cold running water, then transfer it back to the pan.
- In the second pan, boil the asparagus, sugar snap peas and edamame beans for a maximum of two minutes (until they are just tender). Drain and rinse under cold running water to stop them cooking and to help retain their vibrant colour. If you’re feeling fancy, slice the sugar snap peas diagonally to expose the cute peas inside.
- Place all the dressing ingredients in a blender or mini food processor and whizz until smooth. Taste test and adjust the seasoning to suit.
- If the nuts and seeds aren’t already toasted, place them in a dry frying pan (skillet) on medium heat and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring regularly until the walnuts become fragrant and the seeds start to brown or pop.
- Add the vegetables and beans to the pasta pan. Pour three quarters of the dressing in and stir through to coat. Transfer to bowls and drizzle on the remaining dressing. Add a sprinkling of toasted nuts and seeds, some freshly ground black pepper and serve.
- Any leftovers will keep in the fridge for three days. They make a great lunchbox option!
Notes
Nutritional Breakdown
N.B. The above values are estimates. The actual nutritional values will vary depending on the brands and ingredients used.
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If you make this Green Orzo Pasta Salad, I’d love to hear your feedback and any suggestions for adaptations! Tag your photos with #bitofthegoodstuff on social media – I always love to see your creations! You can also connect with me on my social media channels here: Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest.
With love,
Sharon xx
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