Zingy Cilantro Lime Confetti Orzo Recipe: A Colorful Feast

Orzo shines with a burst of zesty cilantro lime confetti that dances across your plate, creating a symphony of fresh flavors.

Bright, tangy herbs weave through delicate pasta pearls, promising a light and refreshing experience.

This simple recipe brings Mediterranean-inspired brightness to your table in minutes.

Summer gatherings call for dishes that sparkle with color and taste.

Crisp cilantro adds a green punch that lifts every forkful from ordinary to extraordinary.

Green herbs and citrusy notes transform this humble pasta into a crowd-pleasing sensation.

You’ll want to savor every vibrant bite of this delightful side dish.

Tips For Zesty Orzo Flavor

• Perfect Pasta Prep: Rinse orzo with cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping, ensuring a perfectly textured salad.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare this dish up to 24 hours in advance, allowing flavors to meld and intensify in the refrigerator.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or black beans to transform this side dish into a complete meal with extra protein.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap orzo with quinoa or rice for a gluten-free alternative that maintains the dish's vibrant flavor profile.
• Spice It Up: Introduce diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for those who enjoy a zesty kick in their cold pasta salad.

Serve Cilantro Lime Orzo Creatively

• Festive Fiesta Plate: Serve this colorful orzo salad alongside grilled chicken or fish for a vibrant Mexican-inspired meal that pops with fresh flavors.
• Picnic Perfect Companion: Pack this chilled orzo in portable containers for outdoor gatherings, beach trips, or summer potlucks where cool, zesty dishes shine.
• Taco Night Sidekick: Use this orzo as a delightful alternative to traditional rice, complementing tacos, enchiladas, or any spicy Latin American dish with its bright cilantro-lime profile.
• Vegetarian Delight Base: Transform this orzo into a hearty vegetarian main course by adding black beans, queso fresco, or grilled tofu for extra protein and texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 5

Cilantro Lime Orzo Ingredients List

• Orzo: Delicate rice-shaped pasta that provides a perfect light and tender foundation for this vibrant salad.

• Red Bell Pepper, Yellow Bell Pepper: Crisp, colorful peppers adding sweet crunch and beautiful visual appeal.
• Red Onion: Sharp, zesty ingredient that brings bold flavor and a lovely purple accent.
• Corn: Sweet kernels offering juicy texture and natural summery sweetness.

• Lime Juice, Lime Zest: Bright, tangy citrus elements that wake up the entire dish with refreshing acidity.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich base that helps blend flavors and create silky texture.
• Cilantro: Herbaceous, fresh green herb that adds distinctive aromatic notes and authentic Mexican-inspired flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning agents that balance and elevate all other ingredients' natural tastes.

Tools To Cook Cilantro Lime Orzo

• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for tossing and combining ingredients.
• Small Bowl: Perfect for whisking together dressing components.
• Whisk: Essential for blending lime juice, zest, oil, salt, and pepper smoothly.
• Colander: Helps drain orzo and rinse under cold water quickly.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables and herbs.
• Sharp Knife: Used for dicing bell peppers, onions, and chopping cilantro.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning measurements.
• Measuring Cup: Helpful for precise olive oil and lime juice amounts.
• Zester or Grater: Allows easy lime zest preparation.

Simple Steps For Confetti Orzo

• Boil Pasta

Cook orzo in a pot of salted water until tender and perfectly al dente. Once done, drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process.

• Chop Vibrant Veggies

Dice colorful bell peppers into tiny confetti-like pieces, slice red onions finely, and separate corn kernels. Roughly chop fresh cilantro leaves for a burst of green.

• Whip Up Zesty Dressing

In a small mixing bowl, blend fresh lime juice and zest with smooth olive oil. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and pepper to create a tangy, bright flavor profile.

• Mix and Mingle

Toss the cooled orzo with chopped vegetables and herbs in a large bowl. Pour the zingy lime dressing over the mixture and gently fold everything together until well combined.

• Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the orzo salad for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors dance and meld together. Serve cool as a refreshing side dish that’s perfect for summer gatherings.

Store Orzo Salad For Later

• Quick Cooling Technique: Transfer orzo to a baking sheet after draining to spread it out, allowing faster cooling and preventing clumping while maintaining perfect texture.
• Refrigeration Smart Storage: Keep this dish in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention when sealed properly in the coldest part of your refrigerator.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire salad one day before serving to allow flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more delicious and harmonious dish.
• Ingredient Separation Strategy: Store dressing separately from salad components if planning to keep longer than 24 hours, which prevents vegetables from becoming soggy and maintains crisp textures.

Vibrant Cilantro Lime Confetti Orzo Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Cilantro lime confetti orzo brings Mediterranean brightness to weeknight dinners with minimal effort. Fresh ingredients and quick preparation make this colorful pasta dish a delightful choice for adventurous cooks who appreciate simple, zesty meals.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) orzo pasta
• ½ cup (80 g/2.8 oz) red bell pepper, finely diced
• ½ cup (80 g/2.8 oz) yellow bell pepper, finely diced
• ½ cup (80 g/2.8 oz) corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• ¼ cup (40 g/1.4 oz) red onion, finely chopped
• ⅓ cup (20 g/0.7 oz) fresh cilantro, chopped
• Zest of 1 lime
• 2 tbsps (30 ml/1 fl oz) olive oil
• Juice of 2 limes
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Cook orzo according to package instructions until al dente, then rapidly cool by draining and rinsing with cold water to prevent overcooking.
2. Vegetable Preparation: Meticulously chop bell peppers into uniform cubes, slice red onion into delicate slivers, and gather sweet corn kernels for a vibrant, textural medley.
3. Salad Assembly: Combine cooled orzo with chopped vegetables, incorporating cilantro throughout the mixture to create a colorful and aromatic base.
4. Dressing Creation: Whisk lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, salt, and black pepper into a harmonious citrus-infused vinaigrette that will elevate the entire dish.
5. Flavor Fusion: Gently pour dressing over the orzo mixture, carefully folding to ensure complete and even coating, allowing each ingredient to absorb the zesty essence.
6. Flavor Refinement: Conduct a taste test, adjusting seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lime juice to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
7. Chilling and Serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes, enabling the ingredients to marinate and intensify their collective flavor before presenting this refreshing dish.

Notes

• Prevent Pasta Clumping: Rinse orzo with cold water and toss with a touch of olive oil to stop sticking and maintain individual grain separation.
• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to marinate and develop deeper, more complex taste profiles.
• Customize Texture Options: For a protein boost, add grilled chicken, shredded rotisserie chicken, or chickpeas to transform the dish into a complete meal.
• Maintain Fresh Herb Vibrancy: Chop cilantro just before mixing to preserve its bright color and prevent wilting, ensuring a fresh and aromatic final presentation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg