Vegan spinach orzo salad is loaded with Mediterranean flavor from sun-dried tomatoes, olives, pine nuts, and fresh basil. It's easy to make and a delicious alternative to traditional pasta salad.
This vibrant dish combines the best of Italian and Greek flavors using mostly pantry ingredients. It's a creative way to use rice-shaped orzo pasta, and you'll definitely want to keep it stocked in your kitchen.
And if you enjoy the combination of sun-dried tomatoes and Kalamata olives as much as I do, be sure to try my Mediterranean cannellini bean salad and sourdough stuffing.
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Absolutely delicious!! This will be a staple in our house!
- Carol
Ingredients
- Orzo pasta: If you're gluten-free, I recommend DeLallo brand made from corn and rice
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Julienned, packed in olive-oil
- Kalamata olives: Sliced
- Pine nuts
- Produce: Baby spinach, fresh basil, and garlic
- From the pantry: Olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
How to make spinach orzo salad
- Cook and drain the orzo. Toss it with a little olive oil and spread it out on a sheet pan to cool.
- Place the cooled orzo in a large salad bowl along with the spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, pine nuts, and basil.
- Whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper and pour over the salad.
- Toss well and enjoy right away or refrigerate for later.
Serving suggestions
This spinach orzo salad recipe makes about 4 servings as a main dish or 6 or more servings as a side. Enjoy it on its own or try it with one of these favorites:
- A warm soup such as creamy vegan tomato soup
- A cold soup like chilled Spanish gazpacho.
- Fresh fruit like watermelon blueberry salad with lime and mint
Whether served as a light lunch, a side for dinner, or part of a summer spread, it's a versatile salad you'll want to make again and again.
Made this recipe? Have a question? Please leave a comment below. 💙 And for even more recipes, join my email list for community, inspiration & to chat directly with me!
Love and Veggies,
Amy
📋 Recipe
Spinach Orzo Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Olives
Ingredients
For the orzo salad:
- 1 cup orzo, (gluten-free, if needed)
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, julienne cut
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
- ¼ cup pine nuts
For the dressing:
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the orzo according to the package directions.1 cup orzo
- Drain the orzo and spread it out on a baking sheet. Toss the orzo with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and let cool, about 15 minutes.1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Place the cooled orzo in a large salad bowl along with the spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, basil, and pine nuts.2 cups baby spinach, ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, ½ cup Kalamata olives, ¼ cup pine nuts, ½ cup fresh basil
- In a small jar or bowl, combine the dressing ingredients and mix well.3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 clove garlic, salt and pepper
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat. Enjoy right away or cover and refrigerate for later.
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Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
Mary Swain says
I make this a lot, my son begs me for it. Could I make it with Kale
Amy Katz says
That's wonderful to hear, Mary! Yes, I would massage the kale with a little olive oil to soften it.
Janet says
Can olive oil be omitted if eating wfpbno?
Amy Katz says
Sure, you can leave it out. The orzo may stick together, so you may want to quickly rinse it with water using a colander. Then you can make a dressing without oil.
Patricia G says
Looks great - will try it soon. I assume pumpkin seeds would work in place of pine nuts ( we minimize nuts in our cuisine...)
Patricia G.
Kelowna
Amy Katz says
Thanks, Patricia, yes, absolutely!
Bonnie says
Is the one cup of orzo measured before or after it is cooked? My package is 16 oz.
Amy Katz says
It's measured before it is cooked.
Carol says
Absolutely delicious!! This will be a staple in our house! Thank you!
Amy Katz says
I'm so glad you enjoyed the salad, Carol!