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Veggie Rainbow Orzo Salad

A vibrant and flavorful salad combining orzo pasta with a colorful medley of fresh vegetables, all lightly dressed with olive oil and lemon juice.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side
Cuisine: American, Healthy
Calories: 230
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 1 cup orzo pasta Cook according to package instructions.
Vegetables
  • 1 piece bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 1 piece cucumber (diced)
  • 1 cup corn (cooked or canned)
  • 1 cup broccoli florets (blanched) Blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes.
  • 1/4 cup red onion (diced)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped) For garnish.
Dressing
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a medium pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add in the orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 7-9 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside to cool.
  2. While the orzo is cooking, wash and chop your vegetables. Dice the bell pepper, cucumber, and red onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes and blanch the broccoli florets in boiling water for 2 minutes. After blanching, pour cold water over the broccoli to stop the cooking process.
Mixing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  2. In a large serving bowl, combine the cooked orzo, diced bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, cooked corn, blanched broccoli, and red onion.
  3. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until well mixed.
Serving
  1. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley on top for an added pop of color and freshness.
  2. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes for an even more refreshing experience.

Notes

Feel free to substitute any of the veggies with ones you prefer! Timing is key; make sure to cool the orzo pasta before mixing it with the veggies to keep everything crunchy and fresh. If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.