Ham & Orzo Pasta Salad
Orzo is a small rice-shaped pasta that mixes beautifully with diced ham, fresh vegetables and a light Italian dressing. This colorful salad is perfect for lunches, picnics, potlucks or using leftover holiday ham.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 10–12 side-dish servings
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package orzo pasta
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3/4 cup Italian dressing
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
- Cook the orzo according to the package directions until just tender.
- Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta.
- Place the cooled orzo into a large serving bowl.
- Add the ham, tomatoes, cucumber, celery, carrots, green onions and cheddar cheese.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the salad.
- Gently stir until all of the ingredients are evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Toss again just before serving and season with salt and pepper if desired.
Kid Chef Tip
Small pasta like orzo can clump together after cooking. Rinsing it with cold water and stirring in the dressing soon after mixing helps keep the grains separate.
Easy Variations
- Replace the ham with cooked turkey or chicken.
- Use mozzarella cubes instead of cheddar cheese.
- Add frozen peas or chopped broccoli for extra vegetables.
- Mix in diced red or yellow bell peppers for more color.
- Stir in fresh parsley or dill before serving.
Recipe, image, and content from
Kids-Cooking-Activities.com