Lemon Basil Orzo Pasta Salad Recipes

LEMON BASIL ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo in generously salted water. Drain and rinse with cold water, until cooled.
• Place basil, garlic, and lemon zest in a food processor. Pulse repeated until uniformly chopped. Add lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper. Pulse a couple more times, until combine, but not smooth.
• Place cooled orzo into a bowl and toss with the flavorful basil lemon sauce. Add any additions you like- cherry tomatoes, cucumber, chickpeas, snap peas, goat cheese, avocado, nuts, seeds, arugula, etc.
• Orzo will soak up much of the salt after it sits, so make sure to taste for salt right before serving. I'll usually add another ¼ teaspoon. Adjust lemon adding more to taste.
• Enjoy!

LEMONY BASIL ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring 5 quarts of water to a rolling boil and add 1/4 cup salt. Add the orzo pasta to the water and stir. Bring the water back up to a boil. Stirring occasionally, cook for 9 minutes.
• While the orzo is cooking, zest and juice the lemons into a large mixing bowl, and whisk in the olive oil.
• When the orzo is done cooking, drain it (do not rinse), and toss it with the dressing while still hot.
• Allow the pasta and dressing to cool while you chop the rest of the ingredients.
• Fold in the red peppers, grape tomatoes, green onions, parsley and basil.
• Refrigerate for at least two hours. Serve cold.

LEMON ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Add water to a large saucepan and bring to a boil on the stove top.
• Once boiling, lightly salt the water and add orzo and stir.
• Let pasta cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally so that the pasta doesn't stick.
• When pasta is to your preferred doneness, drain the water and add pasta to a bowl to cool.
• You'll want to stir the pasta as it cools to ensure it doesn't stick together.
• If it begins to stick, drizzle pasta with a little bit of olive oil and it should be fine.
• In a separate bowl, add lemon juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper and whisk to combine.
• Pour over cooled orzo and stir to combine.
• Add almonds, cannellini beans, and basil and stir to combine evenly.
• Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.
• As the pasta will absorb some of the liquid as it is refrigerated, you may want to drizzle a little extra olive oil and lemon juice over top and stir in before serving.

LEMON-BASIL ORZOTTO

Steps:

• In a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute until fragrant and translucent. Add the orzo and toast for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the wine and cook until absorbed.
• Gradually add the chicken stock, stirring frequently. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat, and cover. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until the liquid is almost absorbed and orzo is tender. Remove from the heat.
• Stir in peas, Parmesan, fresh basil, lemon zest, heavy cream, and lemon juice. Season the orzo with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

ORZO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions.
• While the pasta cooks, begin to make the dressing.
• Juice and zest the lemon.
• In a blender or food processor, combine basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
• Blend until smooth.
• When orzo is done, drain, but do not rinse.
• Put the pasta in a serving dish and pour basil mixture on top immediately while orzo is hot.
• Toss to coat.
• Serve warm or cold.