INSTANT POT DIY MEDITERRANEAN ORZO PASTA SALAD

This is The Best Instant Pot Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad. This easy summer salad is bursting with fresh spring and summer flavours. Great for alfresco dining and garden parties, this salad can be prepared in no time with the help of the Instant Pot.

INSTANT POT DIY MEDITERRANEAN ORZO PASTA SALAD

Why DIY?

The reason this is a DIY salad is that you can add whatever you have to hand and it still tastes amazing!

Why Instant Pot?

We are cooking our pasta in the Instant Pot which will require no draining and we can add the remaining ingredients straight to the pot – essentially this is a one-pot Pasta Salad

How to Cook Orzo pasta in a pressure cooker?

The ratio of Pasta to water: 1: 1 1/2 (one: one and a half)

3-minute HIGH-pressure cook

10 minutes NPR then release the pressure manually

Tips:

Add oil to avoid stickiness

The orzo will be slightly sticky when cooked, however, let it cool, every grain will separate.

Stovetop Orzo pasta salad

Boil plenty of water in a pan and cook the pasta according to packet instructions.

Drain the pasta and simply add all of the ingredients together.

Either eat warm immediately or refrigerate if it is made in advance.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Orzo Pasta Salad:

Orzo pasta – we like using Orzo for this style of salad but you can also use other types of pasta. However, cooking times and the amount of water for the Instant Pot may change!

Olive Oil – Extra virgin olive oil is best and provides a really wonderful flavour to the salad

Balsamic Vinegar – use Balsamic Vinegar of Modena for the best taste.

Italian Herbs – you can also use Herbs de Provence or Mixed Herbs.

Cherry Tomatoes – if you do not have cherry tomatoes, you can also chop a tomato or two and add to the salad.

Sundried Tomatoes – definitely use sun-dried tomatoes in this recipe if you have them as they add extra depth than just using fresh tomatoes.

Olives – we have used bottled black Kalamata Olives

Capers – these taste similar to olives so if you do not have any, then you can just add a few more olives instead.

Fresh herbs – we have used Basil, Parsely, and Mint from our garden but you can use whatever herbs you have to hand

Cucumber – cucumber really freshens up the salad

Red Onion

Feta cheese– omit if vegan or add any cooked beans or nuts.

Seasoning – salt/pepper

Tips: To add some protein to the recipe, you could add some tinned chickpeas or some chopped nuts. Pine nuts work well.

Don’t have feta? use Mozzarella cheese, it adds a delicate and creamy flavour.

Optionally toss in this Basil Sauce for a bright flavour.

How to Make Instant pot DIY Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad?

Recipe cooks in 3 minutes. While the pressure cooker is cooling down, prepare all the other ingredients.

1. In the inner pan of the Instant pot, pan add orzo, water and oil.

2. Close the lid and set the cooker at HIGH-pressure for 3 minutes.

3. After 10 minutes NPR, release the pressure manually if any left, let it cool.

4. Using a fork, separate the pasta, add chopped cucumber, tomatoes and onion.

5. Tip in sundried tomatoes, olives, Italian seasoning and fresh mixed herbs.

6. Add oil, balsamic vinegar, cheese and season the salad.

Serve.

How to store Orzo Pasta Salad?

Best Summer Recipes:

Summer Salads

Best Pesto Potato Salad in Instant Pot (vegan)

Vegan Watermelon Carpaccio with Tahini

Kachumber Salad

Instant Pot Vegan Potato Salad

Chickpea Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing in Instant Pot – gluten-free and diabetic friendly

Lentil Salad

Zucchini Ribbon Salad

Summer Desserts

Vegan Mango Mess

Rose and Strawberry Fool

Summer Drinks

Saffron and Cardamom Horchata

Virgin Cardamom Mojito

Watermelon Mocktail