Caprese Orzo Salad Fresh (Printer-Friendly)

Tender orzo blends with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 cup orzo pasta
02 - Salt, for boiling water

→ Vegetables & Cheese

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
05 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, sliced

→ Dressing

06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until al dente, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil leaves.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until well emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to ensure even coating.
05 - Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to develop flavors.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you can set the table, yet tastes like you've been planning it all week.
  • The warm pasta against cool cheese and bright tomatoes creates this perfect textural conversation in your mouth.
  • You can prep it ahead, and it somehow tastes even better the next day when the flavors settle into each other.
02 -
  • If you make this hours ahead, the orzo will drink up all the dressing and turn dry by evening—either dress it fresh right before serving, or dress it lightly and keep extra dressing on the side to refresh it.
  • Warm pasta absorbs flavors differently than cold pasta; letting it cool all the way before dressing means the flavors need to work harder, which is actually why this salad improves overnight.
03 -
  • Taste the dressing before you dress the salad—this is the moment to adjust the balance between sharp and sweet, and there's nowhere to hide once it's mixed in.
  • Save a handful of fresh basil to add after you dress the salad, so you get both the cooked-in basil flavor and the bright, fresh basil notes that remind you this is summer on a plate.
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