High-Protein Orzo Pesto Salad Recipe
A vibrant and nutritious High-Protein Orzo Pesto Salad combining grilled zucchini, baby spinach, cooked orzo, protein-rich beluga lentils, creamy avocado, cherry tomatoes, and crunchy walnuts, all tossed in a fresh homemade walnut basil pesto dressing. Perfect as a wholesome lunch or light dinner, this salad offers a delightful balance of textures and flavors with a Mediterranean flair.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 zucchini, sliced into 0.5 inch (1.5 cm) thick pieces
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1.5 cups cooked orzo
- 2 cups cooked beluga lentils
- 1 avocado, diced
- 200 g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 walnuts, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Walnut Pesto Dressing
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/8 cup walnuts
Instructions
- Grill the Zucchini: Heat a pan over medium heat and add 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Place the sliced zucchini pieces in the pan and grill each side for 2 to 3 minutes until evenly cooked and slightly charred. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Walnut Pesto Dressing: In a small blender, combine the fresh basil leaves, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic clove, and 1/8 cup walnuts. Blend until smooth to create a fresh and flavorful walnut basil pesto dressing.
- Combine the Salad Ingredients: In a large serving bowl, combine the baby spinach, cooked orzo, cooked beluga lentils, diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, grilled zucchini slices, and chopped walnuts. Drizzle the walnut pesto dressing over the salad and toss gently to evenly coat all ingredients.
- Season and Serve: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. Serve immediately and enjoy this nutrient-packed, high-protein salad.
Notes
- To save time, orzo and beluga lentils can be cooked ahead of time and refrigerated.
- You can substitute walnuts in the pesto with pine nuts or almonds if preferred.
- This salad can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled according to your preference.
- For added protein, consider adding grilled chicken or feta cheese (optional).
- Make sure not to overcook zucchini; it should retain a bit of firmness for texture contrast.
Keywords: high-protein salad, orzo salad, pesto salad, beluga lentils, walnut pesto, grilled zucchini, healthy lunch, vegetarian, Mediterranean diet
Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/high-protein-orzo-pesto-salad-recipe/
