Polka Dot Pasta Salad Recipe

Name: Polka Dot Pasta Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/3 cups orzo; 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest; 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 to 2 lemons); 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste; Pinch of cayenne pepper; 3 plum tomatoes, diced; 1 small yellow squash, halved, seeded, and diced; 1/2 cucumber, halved, seeded, and diced; 2 green onions (white and green parts), thinly sliced; 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley; 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds (page 195)

Servings: persons

1 1/3 cups orzo
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 to 2 lemons)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste
Pinch of cayenne pepper
3 plum tomatoes, diced
1 small yellow squash, halved, seeded, and diced
1/2 cucumber, halved, seeded, and diced
2 green onions (white and green parts), thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds (page 195)

1
Cook the orzo for 1 minute less than package instructions indicate.
2
Rinse with cool water, drain well, and set aside.
3
In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt, black pepper, and cayenne.
4
Add the cooked orzo and stir to coat.
5
Add the tomatoes, squash, cucumber, green onions, basil, and parsley to the orzo mixture and toss to combine.
6
Taste for seasoning and add salt and freshly ground pepper as needed.
7
Top with the toasted almonds and serve chilled or at room temperature.
8
To save time, the orzo mixture can be made 1 day in advance and combined with the vegetables just before serving.

423

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 15 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 1/3 cups orzo, 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 to 2 lemons), and more.

Yes, Polka Dot Pasta Salad falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Keep refrigerated in an airtight container and enjoy within 1–2 days for the best freshness. Best served cold — no reheating needed.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Polka Dot Pasta Salad

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions