Description

This Summer Orzo Pasta Salad is a light and refreshing dish featuring tender orzo pasta combined with crisp vegetables, smoky turkey bacon, and a zesty apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for picnics, quick lunches, or as a colorful side dish, it offers a balanced blend of tastes and textures with vibrant colors and a delightful flavor profile.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

1 ½ cups orzo pasta
6 slices smoked turkey bacon
1 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
1 cup cucumber, diced
1 cup red bell pepper, diced
½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
½ cup plant-based feta cheese (optional)

Dressing Ingredients

3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
4 tablespoons olive oil (natural)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (natural)
½ teaspoon garlic powder (natural)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Cook the Orzo: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta for the salad.
Prepare the Smoked Turkey Bacon: While the orzo cooks, fry the smoked turkey bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy and browned. Drain excess fat on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces.
Chop the Fresh Vegetables: Dice the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper into uniform pieces. Thinly slice the red onion and roughly chop the fresh parsley to prepare all ingredients.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined to create a zesty dressing.
Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, chopped vegetables, smoked turkey bacon, and fresh parsley. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly. If using, sprinkle plant-based feta cheese on top and mix gently.

Notes

Cook orzo al dente to avoid mushiness and keep texture firm.
Rinse orzo with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
Use fresh vegetables for the best flavor and crunch.
Allow the dressing to rest a few minutes before tossing to blend flavors.
Adjust salt and pepper seasoning after assembling the salad to taste.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: No-cook
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 280
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 10g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: orzo pasta salad, summer salad, smoked turkey bacon, apple cider vinegar dressing, light pasta salad, vegetarian pasta salad, fresh vegetable salad