This crispy prosciutto and orzo salad is packed with fresh Mediterranean flavours and plenty of texture. Tender orzo pasta is tossed with parsley and rocket, and topped with creamy mozzarella and crunchy salty prosciutto for a light but satisfying salad that's perfect for a date night starter, warm days, lunches or sharing platters.
The original recipe appeared in the June 2023 Asda magazine.
Its a great summer dish to enjoy as a starter, snack, on the side with grilled or barbecued meats, or serve it in a big bowl at a picnic, buffet or party.
It'll keep in the fridge for 2 to 3 days in an airtight container, but it's best to add the crispy prosciutto fresh for the best crunch! Refresh with lemon juice and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil before serving.
Tips
- Optional variations:
- Feta and orzo salad - swap the mozzarella for crumbled feta cheese.
- Chicken and orzo salad - swap the crispy prosciutto for pieces of grilled chicken.
- Roasted vegetable version - replace the crispy prosciutto and mozzarella with roasted vegetables like peppers, tomatoes and courgettes.
- Pesto orzo salad - mix 2 tbsp of basil pesto through the orzo, parsley and rocket.
- Spicy chilli prosciutto version - mix freshly chopped red chilli or chilli flakes through the orzo.
- This crispy prosciutto and orzo salad recipe is easily adapted if you're cooking for less or more people (the photos are half the recipe).
Frequently Asked Questions
Orzo is a small pasta shaped like rice.
Yes - it's great for meal prep and picnics.
Cook it until crisp and add just before serving.
Yes - it's usually served cold or at room temperature.
A light lemon or olive oil dressing works perfectly.
Yes - grilled chicken or prawns work very well.
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How to make this Crispy Prosciutto and Orzo Salad
Ingredients
- 100g prosciutto slices
- 2 tsp and 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 350g orzo
- cooking salt
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- juice of half a lemon, plus additional wedges to serve
- a bunch of fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- 120g rocket leaves, roughly chopped
- 2 balls mozzarella, drained and torn
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to high. Place the slices of prosciutto on a baking tray and drizzle them with the 2 tsp of extra virgin olive oil and grill for 2 to 4 minutes, until crispy. Every grill is different, so keep an eye on it!
- Meanwhile, cook the orzo according to packet instructions in salted boiling water. Drain and rinse with cold water until cooled.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cold orzo, remaining 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, a generous pinch of salt and pepper, lemon juice, chopped parsley and rocket. Stir to combine.
- Either plate up in individual bowls, topped with torn pieces of mozzarella, lemon wedges and torn pieces of crispy prosciutto, or transfer it to a large serving bowl. Garnish with some more freshly ground black pepper and enjoy!
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Crispy Prosciutto and Orzo Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 100 g (3.5 oz) prosciutto slices
- 2 tsp and 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 350 g (2 ⅓ cups) orzo
- cooking salt
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- juice of half a lemon plus additional wedges to serve
- a bunch of fresh parsley roughly chopped
- 120 g (4.2 oz) rocket leaves roughly chopped
- 2 balls mozzarella drained and torn
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to high. Place the slices of prosciutto on a baking tray and drizzle them with the 2 tsp of extra virgin olive oil and grill for 2 to 4 minutes, until crispy. Every grill is different, so keep an eye on it!
- Meanwhile, cook the orzo according to packet instructions in salted boiling water. Drain and rinse with cold water until cooled.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cold orzo, remaining 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, a generous pinch of salt and pepper, lemon juice, chopped parsley and rocket. Stir to combine.
- Either plate up in individual bowls, topped with torn pieces of mozzarella, lemon wedges and torn pieces of crispy prosciutto, or transfer it to a large serving bowl. Garnish with some more freshly ground black pepper and enjoy!
Notes
- Optional variations:
- Feta and orzo salad - swap the mozzarella for crumbled feta cheese.
- Chicken and orzo salad - swap the crispy prosciutto for pieces of grilled chicken.
- Roasted vegetable version - replace the crispy prosciutto and mozzarella with roasted vegetables like peppers, tomatoes and courgettes.
- Pesto orzo salad - mix 2 tbsp of basil pesto through the orzo, parsley and rocket.
- Spicy chilli prosciutto version - mix freshly chopped red chilli or chilli flakes through the orzo.
- This crispy prosciutto and orzo salad recipe is easily adapted if you're cooking for less or more people (the photos are half the recipe).
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Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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