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!
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
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.
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!
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:
- Zucchini Basil Rigatoni: A Healthy Vegetable Pasta Recipe
- Gnocchi Pomodoro
- Creamy Lemon Artichoke Pasta
- Tomato and Cheese Cauliflower Bake
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 Pasta Salad with Roasted Cauliflower and Spinach
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!