Spinach & Orzo Salad

One of my favorite summer dishes is this simple pasta salad I make every year. It embraces some Mediterranean flavors and has a vinaigrette base instead of mayonnaise. 2 points in my book. Start to finish it’s about 20 minutes and I always make it ahead of time to make my life that much easier. {Make that 3 points.}

First thing you want to do is put a pot of water on the stove, turn the heat on and get it boiling!!

While you’re waiting, chop the spinach  and red onion and put into a large bowl. Add the Feta cheese.

Cook the orzo according to the directions on the box, drain and rinse with cool water. Add to the bowl!

In a separate smaller bowl, stir together balsamic vinaigrette, white pepper and dried basil.

Pour over pasta.

Mix!

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

{My personal opinion is that I think it tastes better when it has overnight to sit.}

Once it’s party/dinner time, add cherry tomatoes.

{If you choose to add toasted pine nuts too, now’d be the time to toss those babies in.}

Mix ’em in and you’re good to go!

Serve with your favorite summer grilling essentials!

Seriously, this tastes great with everything and anything…or even on it’s own.

Recipe modified from Taste of Home.

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Instructions

1 Package (16 oz.) orzo pasta

1 Package (6 oz.) fresh baby spinach, finely chopped

1 Cup crumbled low-fat Feta cheese

3/4 Cup red onion, finely chopped

1 Cup low-fat Balsamic Vinaigrette

1 Teaspoon dried basil

1 Teaspoon white pepper

1 Pint cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/4 Cup toasted pine nuts {optional}

Directions

Cook orzo according to the package’s directions. Drain and rinse in cool water.

Combine spinach, red onion, cheese and orzo in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, stir together vinaigrette, basil and pepper. Pour over pasta .

Mix until everything is evenly coated.

Cover and refrigerate until serving time.

Toss in tomatoes and pine nuts just before serving.

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