Orzo Pasta Salad with Dried Cranberries

You can't ask for an easier or more crowd-pleasing picnic dish than this orzo pasta salad featuring green onions, cranberries, cilantro, and pecans.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 354 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ¾ cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¾ cup chopped celery
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 ½ cups water
• 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked orzo pasta

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bring water, orzo, and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until orzo is tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

Step 2

Rinse orzo under cold water and scrape into a large bowl. Let cool for 20 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in green onions, celery, cranberries, lemon juice, sesame oil, vinegar, olive oil, and cayenne pepper. Let stand at room temperature until flavors blend, about 1 hour. Stir in pecans and cilantro before serving.