Delicious Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad: Your Perfect Holiday Side Dish

Looking for a vibrant, flavorful, and easy-to-make salad that stands out? Our Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad is a delightful blend of tender orzo pasta, sweet-tart dried cranberries, crunchy pecans, and fresh Italian parsley, all brought together with a bright, zesty orange vinaigrette. This salad is not just a treat for the taste buds; it’s also incredibly versatile, making it an excellent choice for holiday feasts, a wholesome lunch, or a refreshing side dish at any dinner table.

Settling into New Beginnings with a Festive Salad

Life has a wonderful way of constantly evolving, and for my family, 2014 was a year of incredible change and blessings. We welcomed our son Andrew in February, filling our lives with new joys and challenges. Then, as the year drew to a close, we embarked on a big adventure: moving our family from our cozy two-bedroom home in Chicago to a spacious four-bedroom house in Cleveland, Ohio. The difference in space has been truly life-changing! After years of living in a “tiny house” as a family of four, the extra room feels like a luxurious gift. It’s amazing how much you appreciate space once you’ve experienced the alternative.

Amidst the whirlwind of packing, unpacking, and settling into our new community, I blinked, and suddenly it was New Year’s Eve! December 31st always feels like a magical day, a bridge between reflection and anticipation. As we look forward to the promise of a new year, 2015, I feel incredibly blessed by everything 2014 brought, from new family members to new homes and opportunities. It was truly a year to remember, and I hope it was equally wonderful for you and your loved ones.

To celebrate new beginnings and share a taste of comfort and freshness, I thought it would be the perfect time to share this incredible Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad. It’s a dish that embodies both warmth and zest, much like the journey of a new chapter.

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Pecan Orzo Salad

This Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary. It’s a healthy, flavorful, and visually appealing dish that can grace your holiday table, serve as a delightful main course for lunch, or complement any dinner as an elegant side. The magic lies in the harmonious combination of textures and tastes:

• Sweet-tart dried cranberries: These provide a chewy burst of fruity sweetness that perfectly balances the savory notes.
• Crunchy pecans: Adding a wonderful nutty texture and rich, buttery flavor.
• Fresh Italian parsley: Its vibrant green hue and peppery freshness elevate the salad, cutting through the richness.
• Tender orzo pasta: The small, rice-shaped pasta is ideal for absorbing the flavors of the dressing without becoming heavy.
• Zesty orange vinaigrette: A homemade dressing with fresh orange juice and zest that brightens every single bite.

I’ve always been a big proponent of orzo pasta salads, especially when I need to bring a crowd-pleasing side dish to a party or gathering. My Summer Orzo Pasta Salad is one of my most popular recipes, and I truly believe you’ll enjoy this festive version just as much, if not more!

The Art of Perfect Orzo and Vinaigrette

The success of any pasta salad hinges on two main components: perfectly cooked pasta and a balanced dressing. For this Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad, these details are especially important.

Cooking Orzo to Perfection

Orzo pasta, with its delicate, rice-like shape, cooks relatively quickly. The key is to cook it al dente, meaning it should be firm to the bite but not hard. Overcooked orzo can become mushy, which is undesirable in a cold pasta salad. Once cooked, rinsing the orzo under cold water immediately halts the cooking process and removes excess starch, preventing it from sticking together. This step is crucial for achieving that light, non-clumpy texture that makes this salad so enjoyable.

Crafting the Zesty Orange Vinaigrette

The orange vinaigrette is the star of this dish, infusing every ingredient with its bright and tangy notes. It’s incredibly simple to make, requiring just a few staple ingredients:

• Fresh Orange Juice: Provides the primary citrus flavor and sweetness. Always opt for fresh juice over bottled for the best taste.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Adds a delightful tang and acidity that balances the sweetness of the orange and cranberries.
• Sugar & Honey: A touch of these natural sweeteners enhances the fruity flavors and creates a harmonious dressing.
• Orange Zest: Don’t skip this! The zest holds most of the orange’s aromatic oils, adding a concentrated burst of citrus perfume and depth of flavor that the juice alone cannot provide.

Whisking these ingredients together creates a lively dressing that perfectly coats the orzo and other components, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor.

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Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad

By
Julia Jolliff

Prep:
15 minutes mins

Cook:
10 minutes mins

Total:
25 minutes mins

Servings:
6 servings

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Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad is a light salad mixing dried cranberries, pecans, fresh Italian parsley and topped with an orange vinaigrette.

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta, cooked al dente
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup pecans, halved or chopped
• 1/2 cup Italian parsley, chopped
• For the Orange Vinaigrette:
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons honey
• Zest of 1 orange

Instructions

1. Cook the orzo pasta according to package directions until it’s perfectly al dente. Drain the pasta, then rinse it thoroughly under cold water to cool it down and prevent sticking. Transfer the cooled orzo to a large mixing bowl.
2. To the bowl with the orzo pasta, add the dried cranberries, pecans, and chopped Italian parsley. In a separate small bowl or a mason jar, whisk together the orange juice, red wine vinegar, sugar, and honey until well combined.
3. Pour the prepared orange vinaigrette over the orzo salad mixture. Toss everything gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Garnish generously with freshly grated orange zest and a little extra fresh Italian parsley just before serving for an extra pop of flavor and color.

Notes

• If you plan to make this Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad ahead of time, I highly recommend refrigerating the orzo mixture and the dressing separately. Wait to pour the dressing over the salad until you are just about ready to serve it. This prevents the orzo pasta from soaking up all the dressing and becoming dry, ensuring the salad retains its vibrant flavor and texture.
• For an enhanced nutty flavor, you can lightly toast the pecans in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Let them cool before adding to the salad.
• Consider adding some crumbled feta or goat cheese for an extra layer of creamy, tangy flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcal,
Carbohydrates: 35g,
Protein: 4g,
Fat: 7g,
Saturated Fat: 1g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g,
Sodium: 6mg,
Potassium: 167mg,
Fiber: 2g,
Sugar: 14g,
Vitamin A: 467IU,
Vitamin C: 17mg,
Calcium: 22mg,
Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Mention @acedarspoon or tag #acedarspoon!

Serving Suggestions and Versatile Variations

This Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad is wonderfully versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions and meals. Its bright, refreshing flavors pair beautifully with many main dishes, and it can also be easily adapted to suit your preferences or what you have on hand.

Perfect Pairings

• Holiday Meals: It’s an ideal companion for roasted turkey, ham, or chicken, offering a lighter, zesty contrast to heavier holiday fare.
• Grilled Proteins: Serve alongside grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp for a balanced and satisfying summer meal.
• Light Lunch: Enjoy it on its own as a healthy and filling lunch option, perhaps with a side of crusty bread.
• BBQs and Potlucks: This salad travels well and is always a hit at gatherings, providing a fresh alternative to traditional potato or macaroni salads.

Creative Variations to Try

Feel free to get creative with this recipe! Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

• Add Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese would add a delightful tang and creaminess that complements the other flavors beautifully.
• Different Nuts: If pecans aren’t your favorite, try toasted walnuts, almonds, or even pistachios for a different crunch.
• Extra Fruit Power: Incorporate other dried fruits like chopped dried apricots or cherries for additional sweetness and chewiness. Fresh orange segments could also be folded in for an extra juicy burst.
• Boost the Greens: Mix in a handful of baby spinach or arugula for added greens and a slight peppery bite.
• Protein Punch: Transform it into a more substantial main dish by adding cooked and shredded chicken, chickpeas, or white beans.
• Herb Swap: While Italian parsley is recommended for its fresh, clean flavor, a mix of mint or dill could offer an interesting aromatic twist.

Make-Ahead Tips and Storage

One of the best features of this Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad is its make-ahead potential, which makes it perfect for busy hosts or meal prepping. However, there’s a key tip to ensure it tastes as fresh and flavorful as possible when served.

As mentioned in the recipe notes, if you are preparing this salad in advance, it’s crucial to keep the orzo pasta mixture and the orange vinaigrette separate. Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The orzo mixture can be prepared up to 1-2 days ahead, and the dressing up to 3-4 days ahead.

Why keep them separate? Orzo pasta is quite absorbent. If you dress the salad too far in advance, the pasta will soak up all the delicious vinaigrette, leaving your salad dry and less flavorful. By combining them just before serving, you ensure that every component is vibrant, and the dressing clings perfectly, delivering that fresh burst of citrus in every bite.

When ready to serve, simply pour the dressing over the orzo mixture, toss well, and then garnish with fresh orange zest and parsley. Any leftovers of the dressed salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and are best enjoyed within 2-3 days.

A Final Word on Flavor and Freshness

This Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad is truly a standout dish that brightens any table. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a staple, offering a delightful combination of sweet, tart, and savory elements, all underpinned by a refreshing citrus zest. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, hosting a casual get-together, or simply looking for a wholesome and exciting meal, this salad is sure to impress.

It’s a testament to the fact that healthy eating can be incredibly delicious and satisfying. So go ahead, whip up this vibrant orzo pasta salad, and enjoy the wonderful flavors it brings to your table!