Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad is a light salad mixing dried cranberries, pecans, fresh Italian parsley and topped with an orange vinaigrette. This salad makes a great side dish for your holidays or salad for lunch.
Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad
I am happy to report we are starting to feel settled into our new house in Ohio. I can not believe how life changing having the extra space is. In Chicago we had a small two bedroom house and in Ohio we have a nice sized four bedroom house. It is funny how much you appreciate space when you lived as a family of four in a tiny house!
With the craziness of the move I somehow blinked and New Years Eve arrived! Can you believe today is December 31st? When we wake up tomorrow we will have arrived in 2015. 2014 was a great year for my family and I hope it was for yours too. We started the year off by welcoming Andrew into our family in February and then closed the year out moving out family to Cleveland, Ohio. It has been a whirlwind of a year and I feel so blessed and lucky for everything the year has brought me.
Today as we look forward to 2015 I thought I would share with you guys this Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad. A healthy, flavorful salad that you can make for a holiday gathering, a lunch or a side dish at dinner. The flavors in this salad go perfectly together–the dried cranberries, pecans and fresh Italian parsley mixed with the orzo pasta and topped with a fresh orange vinaigrette and zest.
I have always been a huge fan of orzo pasta salads, especially when I need to bring a side dish to a party or gathering. My Summer Orzo Pasta Salad is one of my most popular posts on A Cedar Spoon so I hope you guys like this one just as much.
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Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad is a light salad mixing dried cranberries, pecans, fresh Italian parsley and topped with an orange vinaigrette. This salad makes a great side dish or main dish salad.
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta, cooked
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecans, halved
- 1/2 cup Italian parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons honey
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
- Cook the orzo pasta according to package until al dente. Run under cold water and put in large mixing bowl.
- Add the the dried cranberries, pecans, Italian parsley to the orzo pasta. In a small bowl or mason jar whisk together the orange juice, red wine vinegar, sugar and honey.
- Pour the dressing over the orzo salad and mix well. Top with freshly grated orange zest and extra fresh Italian parsley for garnish.
Notes
If you make this salad ahead of time I would refrigerate the orzo pasta salad and wait to pour the dressing over it until you are ready to serve it. The orzo pasta will soak up the dressing otherwise and the salad will loose the flavor.
Inspired by The Fresh Market
For more orzo pasta salads check out these fellow food blogger recipes:
Spring Orzo Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Artichokes // Food for my Family
Spinach and Orzo Salad // Simply Recipes
Mediterranean Orzo Salad // Iowa Girl Eats
Christie - Food Done Light says
This is a gorgeous salad. I love using orzo and you have paired it with so many delicious flavors. Can’t wait to try it.
Julia says
Thanks Christie! It is full of great flavors. I hope you enjoy it.
Melissa Falk says
Beautiful recipe..
Julia says
Thanks Melissa!
Jessica @ Stuck On Sweet says
I am so glad that you guys found a house and have all that space! Maybe Vin and I need to move to Cleveland, too! 😉
This salad looks amazing! Love the freshness of the orange!
Julia says
Ha I would LOVE that and so would Will! 🙂 He still talks about your visit and asks if you are coming back.
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
I love your story about your move. That is such wonderful news.
Boy howdy what a MAJOR difference. Fun salad too.
Julia says
Well thanks Carol! 🙂 So glad to be all done with the moving–it was not fun.
Nancy says
This orzo salad is so delicious. I have to admit that I’m not generally a big fan of orange juice in salads, but this salad changed that for sure. It is so fragrant and it really makes a beautiful presentation. Nancy : )
Julia says
Well thanks Nancy! That means a lot. We really liked it too and it was perfect for a holiday get together. We made it for Thanksgiving and it was bit hit. The orange isn’t too overpowering which is nice.
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Gorgeous salad Julia! Love all the flavor pops; orange zest, cranberries, red wine and OJ! Can’t wait to try this one.
Julia says
Thanks Allie!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Looks delicious! I just love orzo and really need to start using it a bit more! Thanks for the great idea!
Julia says
You are welcome. Orzo is one of my favorite pastas to use in salads!
Suzanne says
Is this red wine vinegar or straight red wine?
Julia says
Sorry! Red wine vinegar. I will change that. Thanks!
Chris Brashear says
I am smoking a cranberry orange brined Turkey, this is going to be he perfect side dish. Thanks for the inspiration!
Julia says
That sounds amazing! I hope you enjoy this side with it.