Creamy Orzo Pasta Salad Food

CREAMY SOUTHWESTERN ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, buttermilk, ranch salad dressing mix, and taco seasoning. Place in fridge while you make the rest of the salad.
• Cook orzo as directed on package. Drain and rinse with cold water. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, cut corn off cob into a large bowl. Add black beans, bell pepper, green onions, orzo, and cheddar.
• Pour dressing over salad and stir to combine. Serve immediately or store covered in the fridge until ready to serve.

CREAMY ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the orzo pasta following the package instructions.
• Meanwhile, cut the pepper, tomatoes, onion and cucumber into small pieces (it does not really matter what the pieces look like so don't worry about your cutting technique). Throw these into a serving bowl, season with salt and pepper and stir well.
• Prepare the dressing by mixing all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Add this into the serving bowl altogether with the cooked and well drained orzo pasta.
• Stir everything around until well combined and the creamy dressing covers all the pasta and veggies. Sprinkle with finely chopped dill.
• Serve as a side or light lunch meal.

CREAMY ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a heavy large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic, and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until they are tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in the cream and peas. Add the orzo and toss to coat. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the Parmesan to the pasta mixture and toss to coat. Stir the pasta mixture until the sauce coats the pasta thickly, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to maintain a creamy consistency. Season the orzo with salt and pepper, and serve.

RIZZO SALAD (CREAMY FRUIT SALAD W/ORZO)

Steps:

• Cook and drain orzo noodles.
• In a saucepan combine eggs, sugar, salt, cornstarch while gradually adding in reserved juice and stir to mix.
• Bring to a boil and stir, until mixture is a little thick.
• Set aside to cool.
• In a large serving bowl, combine orzo, orange, pineapple and juice mixture; mix with Cool Whip.
• Refrigerate until serving.

CREAMY ITALIAN ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook until tender but still al dente (slightly firm), stirring often, about 8 minutes. Drain, saving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion, mushrooms and garlic, and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the half and half and peas. Add the orzo and toss to coat. Remove pan from heat. Add parmesan to pasta mixture.
• Stir pasta mixture until the sauce coats the pasta thickly, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to maintain a creamy consistency. Season the orzo with desired amount of salt, and serve hot.
• Chunks of chicken or shrimp could be added if you choose to serve this as a main dish.

CREAMY ORZO WITH SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo as directed on package; drain. Place in large bowl.
• Add spinach; mix lightly.
• Stir in remaining ingredients.