Orecchiette with Cilantro Pesto and Pearl Barley
Orecchiette and pearl barley make this a hearty pasta dish, balanced by a fresh cilantro and green onion pesto, sweet-tart grape tomatoes, peppery arugula, and a finish of Parmesan. It is an easy, wholesome choice for a weeknight dinner or a satisfying lunch, with extra Parmesan at the table for added richness.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook40 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Orecchiette with Cilantro Pesto and Pearl Barley, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 56 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 13 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 90 / 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.
- 66
- Heart Health
- 52
- Metabolic
- 56
- Digestive
- 35
- Inflammatory
- 42
- Performance
- 56
- General Wellness
- 1
In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Stir in the barley. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
- 2
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- 3
In a food processor, finely chop the cilantro, green onions, and tomatoes. Mix in the broth and Parmesan cheese, and process until well blended.
- 4
In a large bowl, toss the barley, pasta, cilantro mixture, remaining tomatoes, and arugula. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.
- Calories 372.65 kcal Moderate 19%
- Protein 14.64 g Good Source 29%
- Carbohydrate 67.19 g 24%
- Total Fat 5.41 g Moderate 7%
- Saturated Fat 2.02 g Moderate 10%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 12.25 mg Low Source 4%
- Sodium 239.18 mg Moderate 10%
- Dietary Fiber 9.69 g Good Source 35%
- Total Sugars 5.29 g --
- Added Sugars 3.88 g Moderate 8%
- Calcium 199.77 mg Moderate 15%
- Iron 1.89 mg Moderate 11%
- Potassium 484.85 mg Moderate 10%
- Vitamin A 120.33 mcg Moderate 13%
- Vitamin C 16.68 mg Moderate 19%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Orecchiette with Cilantro Pesto and Pearl Barley is made with 13 ingredients and serves 4. It takes about 55 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Baby Arugula, Barley, Black Pepper, and Fresh Cilantro. Each serving provides about 372.65 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Orecchiette with Cilantro Pesto and Pearl Barley made of?
- The main ingredients are Baby Arugula, Barley, Black Pepper, Fresh Cilantro, Grape Tomato. The full list of 13 is above.
- How long does it take to make Orecchiette with Cilantro Pesto and Pearl Barley?
- About 55 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 40 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 372.65 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Orecchiette with Cilantro Pesto and Pearl Barley easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 13 ingredients and 4 steps.
- Is Orecchiette with Cilantro Pesto and Pearl Barley healthy?
- Orecchiette with Cilantro Pesto and Pearl Barley has an easyChef Pro health score of 54/100. Per serving, it provides 372.65 calories and 14.64 g of protein, or 29% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of dietary fiber. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 239.18 mg (10% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 2.02 g (10% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 3.88 g (8% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Tomatoes and Onions, 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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