Orzo Pesto Caprese Salad
Orzo Pesto Caprese Salad brings tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella together with bright basil pesto and a hint of lemon. Crisp cucumbers and sweet peas add freshness and crunch, while a splash of balsamic rounds out the flavors. Serve it chilled for lunch, at a picnic, or as a versatile side for backyard gatherings.
- Prep10 mins
- Cook10 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Orzo Pesto Caprese Salad, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactPoor
- 39 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 3 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 58 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 42
- Heart Health
- 24
- Metabolic
- 30
- Digestive
- 30
- Inflammatory
- 28
- Performance
- 30
- General Wellness
- 1
In a small bowl, combine pesto, lemon juice, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Stir until well mixed, season with salt and pepper, and set the dressing aside.
- 2
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until tender yet still slightly firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a medium bowl.
- 3
Stir the dressing into the pasta, and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- 4
Gently fold in tomatoes, mozzarella, cucumbers, and peas.
- 5
Cook’s Note: Orzo salad can be served warm, at room temperature, or cold. Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container.
- Calories 339.49 kcal Moderate 17%
- Protein 9.62 g Moderate 19%
- Carbohydrate 47.4 g 17%
- Total Fat 13.18 g Moderate 17%
- Saturated Fat 3.23 g Moderate 16%
- Trans Fat 0.04 g High --
- Cholesterol 7.18 mg Low Source 2%
- Sodium 208.97 mg Moderate 9%
- Dietary Fiber 3.83 g Moderate 14%
- Total Sugars 22.76 g --
- Added Sugars 18.83 g High 38%
- Calcium 111.2 mg Low Source 9%
- Iron 2.17 mg Moderate 12%
- Potassium 152.45 mg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin A 76.65 mcg Low Source 9%
- Vitamin C 22.45 mg Good Source 25%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Alcohol 🚫🍷
About This Recipe
Orzo Pesto Caprese Salad is an Italian side dish recipe made with 11 ingredients. It takes about 20 mins, serves 4, and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Balsamic Vinegar, Basil Pesto, Cherry Tomato, and Cucumber. Each serving provides about 339.49 kcal.
Recipe Questions
- What is Orzo Pesto Caprese Salad?
- It is an Italian salad recipe made with 11 ingredients, usually served for side dish or dinner or lunch or salad.
- What is Orzo Pesto Caprese Salad made of?
- The main ingredients are Balsamic Vinegar, Basil Pesto, Cherry Tomato, Cucumber, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil. The full list of 11 is above.
- How long does it take to make Orzo Pesto Caprese Salad?
- About 20 mins in total: 10 mins to prepare and 10 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 339.49 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Orzo Pesto Caprese Salad easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 11 ingredients and 5 steps.
- Is Orzo Pesto Caprese Salad healthy?
- Orzo Pesto Caprese Salad has an easyChef Pro health score of 34/100. Per serving, it provides 339.49 calories and 9.62 g of protein, or 19% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 208.97 mg (9% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 3.23 g (16% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 18.83 g (38% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus, Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Tomatoes and Alcohol, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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