This Tomato Risoni Salad (Tomato Orzo Salad) is a super simple salad that is packed with flavour and works as a side or a main meal.
You can add extra veg, meat, cheese what ever you fancy to this salad. It is delicious and perfect for summer or winter!
I know it is Jan 6th, but I wanted to talk resolutions.....did you make any? I didn't 😉 as I don't really believe in them, how can I make a decision on Jan 1 and stick to it all year? I can barely stick to a washing schedule!!!! (Clothes not myself! In case you were grossed out!)
That said, I have told to a few people that my resolution is to find something every day that makes me smile and to eat good food. I think if I achieve that for 2017 then I will be winning! (Wonder how many times the food will be the thing that made me smile!!!)
I am keeping a happiness/thankful journal, because sometimes in life it is hard to see those things, to see the blessing we have.
But the things are there, you just have to look. Some days that maybe hard, some days there may be a million little things that make me smile.
That is what this year is about, acknowledging life, acknowledging that even on the days when I struggle and reach for a glass of wine at 5pm, there will have been something that made the day special (and not just the wine!) because I believe even on the darkest and most awful of days there is always something to be happy about.
Aside from my happy thoughts for today I am also super happy to be sharing this salad with you because:
a) it tastes amazing.
b) it is a salad and salads are the big thing on pinterest during January. (all those new year resolutions!!!!)
c) several people have asked me for the recipe so now I can direct them here.
d) it is PASTA baby!!!!!!
e) it looks pretty.
f) do I need any more reasons?
oh yeah I almost forgot!!!
g) it really does look so prittttteeeeeee!
This makes quite a lot of salad! But it keeps fabulously in the fridge. For those down under with me, it is the perfect side for a summer barbie, for those in the throws of winter, it will brighten up your lunchtime and bring a bit of Spring/Summer into your Winters day.
It is great with grilled meat, fabulous with fish and if you are a vegetarian then it is perfect on its own or with some feta cheese (if you eat it) sprinkled over.
I told you this risoni salad was pretty!!!! So beautiful! Like food art!!!!
If I know I am not serving any vegetarians I sometimes use chicken salt in place of the onion powder, but then I am very careful when I season the dish later on as chicken salt can be pretty salty (its in the name 😉 )
You can mix up the herbs, go with what you have and what you like. I always have basil and parsley at home so they are my goto herbs, but when I have fresh oregano I replace the basil with that. Must get back to growing herbs!!!! I love fresh oregano but you don't see it in the stores very often!!! It is perfect for pasta dishes!!! Like my Pasta with Roasted Fennel and Lemon.
Enjoy x
If you love this recipe for Tomato Risoni Salad (Tomato Orzo Salad) why not pin it for later.
Get the Recipe
Tomato Risoni Salad (Tomato Orzo Salad)
Ingredients
- 2½ cups orzo pasta (risoni)
- 4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- Salt
- black pepper
- Small handful fresh parsley - chopped
- Small handful fresh basil - chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pan of water to a boil.
- Once you have a rolling boil salt it well (at least 1 tablespoon of salt) and add the pasta.
- Stir and then cook as per the packet instructions. (Check it 2 minutes before the packet suggests I find it cooks quickly!)
- Drain the pasta.
- Dress immediately with the extra virgin olive oil.
- Then mix through the onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
- Grate/crush over the garlic.
- Stir well and set aside, covered to cool slightly.
- Chop the cherry tomatoes in half (or quarters if they are big)
- Stir the tomatoes and chopped herbs through the pasta.
- Taste and adjust your seasoning.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until needed.
- Just remember to remove it from the fridge a little before you want to serve it as it is best served at room temperature.
Nutrition
Nutrition is per serving
Candice says
Hi can I replace fresh herbs with dry herbs?
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says
You definitely can, I would just add a teaspoon of dried herbs.
Hope that helps
Cx
Pat says
What is the conversion for 500 g of orzo, please?
Claire McEwen says
Hi Pat,
500g of orzo is just over a pound of pasta, or 2 1/2 cups dry measure. Hope that helps
Claire
(I have updated the recipe to show cups)
Karen says
Have made at least once a month over summer...great easy tasty salad
❤ from New Zealand
Claire McEwen says
Oh I am so pleased that you have enjoyed it so much Karen. It is perfect for summer isn't it?
Love to New Zealand
Kathy says
Yum! I added little mozzarella balls for iu's the 2nd time i made it. This is a great salad to bring to outside parties as it does not have any mayo in it. Everyone loved it! Definitely a keeper!
Claire McEwen says
Kathy, thank you so much for coming back to comment 😀
I am so happy you loved the recipe and you are so right about pasta salads with mayo...they goes icky so quickly sat outside.
Shiho says
Summer is over now but I still have tomato in my backyard. Great for Autumn too. Thank you for sharing 😀
Claire McEwen says
Oh this is just the best with homegrown tomatoes....my goat ate the last of my crop 🙁
Jennifer Mason Wolfe says
Yum! Thank you! Whenever I cook salmon my son insists on having orzo with it- I appreciate the new recipe.
Claire McEwen says
😀
I love that!!!! You have a little foodie in the making.