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orzo salad

Orzo Pasta Salad with Roasted Cauliflower and Spinach

Here’s another delicious and healthy salad recipe: it’s my Orzo Pasta Salad with Roasted Cauliflower and Spinach! You’ve got all the nutrients you need right here in this one dish, and the best part is that it tastes so good (and it has pasta in it).

Salads CAN be Healthy AND Tasty!

Salads don’t have to be boring at all. They don’t always need to be made with just some leafy greens and a droplet of dressing. Where’s the fun in healthy eating if you can’t nourish your taste buds as well?

Because I am a big pasta lover, a lot of my salads will have pasta incorporated into the recipe one way or another. It allows me to get a little bit of what I crave and create something that I can enjoy and know is good for me!

Now, this is where the fun begins… as I present to you my roasted cauliflower and spinach orzo pasta salad recipe. There’s nothing plain about this recipe at all, and it might just be your next favorite salad. If you happen to be unfamiliar with orzo, orzo is a form of short-cut pasta that looks very similar to rice. In fact, most people confuse it with rice until their first bite! This should save you from walking into the rice section in your grocery store on accident, so remember to just go straight for the pasta isle!

Orzo can be fun to use in a variety of dishes such as soups, salads, kid’s meals or even substituted for rice itself. This roasted cauliflower and spinach orzo pasta salad is super easy to make, filled with nutrients, and just simply perfect as a meal or a side dish to go along with your favorite meat/meatless protein!

orzo salad with roasted cauliflower

Benefits of Spinach

Spinach is very versatile. It’s everyone’s friend. It can be used in many different ways including salads, smoothies, juices, soups and other various meals. No matter how you decide to use it, spinach can be beneficial because it is loaded with vitamins and nutrients like iron, Vitamin A, C, K, folate, and more! It’s been said that spinach can play a part in brain health and protect against diseases, so why not throw a handful or two in that smoothie or salad you plan on making? Start by doing so with this recipe!

Benefits of Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable. What does that mean? It’s rich in so many different nutrients, and cauliflower specifically is packed with B vitamins. Just like spinach, cauliflower is universal. It’s taking over the food world. Just look at all the alternatives we’ve been able to make with cauliflower: rice, pizza, wings, you name it. The greatest part of it all is that this vegetable somewhat of a neutral flavor, so all of these food alternatives we are consuming can actually successfully pass as the original form of any meal. Note: Cauliflower does contain a pretty high amount of fiber, so keep in mind that your stomach might not be able to tolerate too much of it at once.

With that being said, let’s finally begin creating this wonderful and delicious orzo pasta salad!

Ingredients to Orzo Pasta Salad

  • 16 oz cauliflower florets, cut into bite size
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 oz spinach 
  • 2 oz red onion, sliced
  • 8 oz orzo pasta 
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup Greek dressing (any brand)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
ingredients orzo salad

How to Make the Most Delicious Orzo Pasta Salad

1. Heat the oven to 420F. Spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet, season with salt and pepper and the 1 tbsp of olive oil. Toss to coat evenly. Roast for 20 minutes until they become slightly brown. When done, let the cauliflower cool off. 

cauliflower florets

2. Meanwhile, cook the orzo in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside. 

orzo

3. Once the cauliflower has cooled off, in a large bowl, combine the orzo, onions, spinach, cauliflower, olive oil, dressing and salt and toss together. 

orzo and onion
orzo, onion, and spinach
orzo, onion, spinach, and roasted cauliflower

4. Eat alone or serve with a meat of your choice!

roasted cauliflower orzo salad

What to Serve With This Recipe

If you’d like to serve this orzo pasta salad alongside other main course dishes, here’s some of my other delicious recipe options to choose from:

Check out my Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok for more mouth watering content and recipe inspiration! Leave a comment below this post to share your feedback, I would greatly appreciate it!

Happy Cravings!

orzo salad

Orzo Pasta Salad with Roasted Cauliflower and Spinach

Here’s another delicious and healthy salad recipe: it’s my Orzo Pasta Salad with Roasted Cauliflower and Spinach! You’ve got all the nutrients you need right here in this one dish, and the best part is that it tastes so good (and it has pasta in it).
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Greek, Italian
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz caulliflower florets cut into bite-sized pieces
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 oz spinach
  • 2 oz red onion sliced
  • 8 oz orzo pasta
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup Greek dressing (any brand)
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • 1. Heat the oven to 420F. Spread the cauliflower on a baking sheet, season with salt and pepper and the 1 tbsp of olive oil. Toss to coat evenly. Roast for 20 minutes until they become slightly brown. When done, let the cauliflower cool off. 
  • 2. Meanwhile, cook the orzo in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside. 
  • 3. Once the cauliflower has cooled off, in a large bowl, combine the orzo, onions, spinach, cauliflower, olive oil, dressing and salt and toss together. 
  • 4. Eat alone or serve with a meat of your choice!

Notes

What to Serve With This Recipe

If you’d like to serve this orzo pasta salad alongside other main course dishes, here’s some of my other delicious recipe options to choose from:
Keyword Best Italian Side Dishes, Best Side Dishes, Best Side Salads, Best Spinach Salads, Delicious Salad Recipes, Easy Pasta Salad Recipes, Easy Salad Recipes, Easy Side Salads, Light Pasta Salad Recipes, Nutritious Salad Recipe, Orzo Pasta Salad, Roasted Cauliflower Salad, Summer Salad Recipes, The Best Pasta Salad Recipe, The Best Pasta Salad Recipes

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