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Easy Italian Orzo Pasta Salad

White bowl of orzo salad with diced artichoke hearts, red onions, red bell peppers with willted spinach. Silver spoon in the bowl.
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EatSimpleFood.com

This easy Italian orzo pasta salad recipe is full of artichoke hearts, toasted almonds, spinach, almonds, red peppers, red onions, fresh lemon juice, basil, feta, and Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 12 ounces uncooked orzo
  • 3 ounces (~ 3 big cups) spinach
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup red onions, finely diced
  • 1 medium (~ 1 1/2 cups) red pepper, diced
  • 1 cup canned artichoke hearts, drained & diced
  • 3/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt, divided
  • 2 Tbsp e.v. olive oil
  • 1/3 cup basil, chiffonade - optional for garnish
  • 2 cup Feta or Parmesan - optional for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F.  Line a baking sheet with aluminum or parchment.  Add almonds in a single layer and cook ~ 5-7 minutes or until very light brown and fragrant.  Remove from sheet and set aside to cool.
  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add orzo.  Boil ~ 8-10 minutes or until desired doneness.  Drain and place in a large bowl.
  • Toss in the spinach to the drained orzo so that it wilts with the residual heat.  Stir occasionally so that the orzo does not stick together as it's cooling.
  • Stir into Orzo: onions, red pepper, artichoke, 1/4 tsp sea salt, black pepper, olive oil,  lemon juice, and almonds.  Add sea salt to taste.
  • Top with sliced basil garnish.  You can eat this as is or add Parmesan or crumbled feta cheese or crushed red pepper if you like it spicy.  Add sea salt to taste.  Dig in!  Beckie

Notes

Don't feel like starting the oven tonight?  Skip toasting the almonds and throw them in as is.