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Cranberry orange orzo salad with toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, orange segments, and arugula in a serving bowl

Cranberry Orange Orzo Salad with Toasted Walnuts

Colleen
Description: This cranberry orange orzo salad with walnuts is a fresh and festive fall side dish made with tender orzo, sweet orange segments, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, baby arugula, and a quick cranberry dressing.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 276 kcal

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
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • Pinch chili flakes
  • 4 cups baby arugula about 4 oz
  • ¼ cup toasted walnuts chopped
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries

Instructions
 

  • Cook the orzo according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, trim the top and bottom ends of the orange.
  • Stand the orange on one of the cut ends and remove the outer peel, following the natural curve of the fruit to remove the bitter white pith.
  • Working over a bowl to catch the juices, cut between the membranes to release the orange segments. Set the segments aside.
  • Whisk together the cranberry sauce, olive oil, 2 tbsp orange juice from the segmented orange, white wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
  • Toss the cranberry dressing with the cooked orzo.
  • Gently stir in the baby arugula, orange segments, toasted walnuts, and dried cranberries.
  • Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.

Notes

  • If you do not have a navel orange, use 2 clementines or mandarin oranges.
  • Pecans, pumpkin seeds, or almonds can be substituted for walnuts.
  • Add the arugula closer to serving if making the salad ahead of time.
  • If the salad seems dry after chilling, add a small splash of olive oil or orange juice before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 276 kcal | Carbohydrates: 37 g | Protein: 6 g | Fat: 12 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6 g | Cholesterol: 1 mg | Sodium: 52 mg | Potassium: 248 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 12 g | Vitamin A: 567 IU | Vitamin C: 24 mg | Calcium: 64 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition information has been calculated using an autogenerating online calculation and is intended for informational purposes. For accurate nutritional information, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used.

Keyword cranberry orange orzo salad, cranberry orzo salad, fall side dish, orzo salad with cranberries, Thanksgiving pasta salad
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