Go Back
A bowl of Caprese Orzo Salad ready to be served.

Caprese Orzo Salad

This Caprese Orzo Salad is a bright, zesty pasta salad with mozzarella balls, grape tomatoes, fresh basil, and a refreshing vinaigrette dressing.
Servings: 12 servings
Chef Alli
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Save this Recipe

Get the recipe emailed to you + sign up for all our latest!

Ingredients
 

Dressing

  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced or crushed
  • 1 Tbs. honey
  • 1 tsp. chicken base paste, such as Better Than Bouillon
  • 1 medium shallot sliced very thinly

Salad

  • 8 oz orzo pasta cooked according to package directions until al dente
  • 8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls drained
  • 1/2 pint grape tomatoes sliced in half lengthwise
  • 16 fresh basil leaves cut into thin strips (chiffonade)
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Prepare the Dressing

  • In a dressing cruet or jar with a tight-fitting lid, prepare the dressing by combining the vinegar, olive oil, garlic, honey, chicken base paste, and sliced shallots; reserve.

Assemble the Salad

  • In a large salad bowl, place the cooked and cooled orzo, mozzarella pearls, grape tomatoes, and fresh basil. Add the prepared dressing, gently tossing all the ingredients to coat; season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Serve at once or refrigerate and serve at a later time. Salad is best served at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 193kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 7gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 220mgPotassium: 118mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 320IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 105mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!