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+ servings

Green Goddess Salad With Orzo

25 minutes
easy
Serves 4 -6
Bowl of green goddess orzo salad with asparagus and fresh herbs

Ingredients 

For the orzo salad

  • ½ lb. about 225g orzo pasta
  • 1 bunch asparagus ends trimmed, thinly sliced on a bias
  • 1 head of butter lettuce or green leaf lettuce sliced and cleaned

For the dressing (you can eyeball all of the herbs or measure them out:

  • ½ cup fresh parsley leaves packed
  • 3 green onions roughly chop
  • 1/3 cup fresh tarragon leaves
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/3 cup of mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Water for thinning, if needed

Directions 

  • Cook the orzo according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the thinly sliced asparagus and lettuce to the bowl with the cooked orzo.
  • In a blender or food processor, combine the parsley, green onions, tarragon, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and olive oil. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the dressing is too thick, slowly add water, a little at a time, while blending, until the desired consistency is reached. Adjust seasoning to taste after adding water to ensure seasoning is not diluted.
  • Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss until well combined and evenly coated.
  • Give the salad a final toss and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve cold as a refreshing side dish or a light main course. You can garnish the salad with additional chopped herbs or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving, if desired.