Thanksgiving is such a wonderful time of the year full of family, friends, and food. While there are traditional items served such as turkey, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole, sometimes it is fun to add a new and unique dish to your Thanksgiving meal. This amazing Cranberry-Orange Orzo Salad Recipe is a delicious side dish.
This colorful Thanksgiving pasta salad makes a tasty and healthy side dish for your holiday table. Sweet-and-tangy cranberry dressing perfectly complements the orange, creating a delicious compliment to your turkey or an alternative meal option for vegetarians.
Cranberry-Orange Orzo Salad RECIPE
Cranberry-Orange Orzo Salad
Ingredients
- 4 oz. orzo
- 1 navel orange about 7 oz.
- 2 tbsp. cranberry sauce
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. white wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- Pinch chili flakes
- 4 cups/4 oz. baby arugula
- 1/4 cup/1 oz. chopped toasted walnuts
- 1/4 cup/1 oz. dried cranberries
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, trim top and bottom ends of orange. Stand fruit on one of the cut ends; remove outer peel, following natural curve of fruit to remove bitter white pith. Working over a bowl to catch juices, cut between membranes to release segments; set aside.
- Whisk together cranberry sauce, oil, 2 tbsp orange juice (from segments), vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper and chili flakes; toss with pasta.
- Stir in arugula, orange segments, walnuts and dried cranberries.
Notes
Thanksgiving is more than just great food. Here are some other great articles to get you in the Thanksgiving spirit: