# Pesto Orzo Meal Prep Salad

This pesto orzo salad is a high-protein, high-fiber meal prep lunch that keeps you full and energized throughout the day.

- Cuisine: Italian
- Category: Salad
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 0.5 lb spicy Italian sausage
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 1 can (540 ml) chickpeas
- 1 large handful baby arugula
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 0.33 cup shaved parmesan
- 0.5 cup pesto
- 0.25 cup blanched slivered almonds
- 0.25 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil
- 0.5 juice lemon
- 0.5 tsp salt
- to taste black pepper

## Instructions

1. Cook orzo pasta in boiling water.
2. Drain the cooked orzo using a colander.
3. Transfer the drained orzo to a large mixing bowl.
4. Add spicy Italian sausage to a pan.
5. Cook the sausage until browned.
6. Quarter the cherry tomatoes.
7. Shave parmesan cheese into the bowl.
8. Add cooked sausage, chickpeas, arugula, tomatoes, parmesan, pesto, almonds, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the mixing bowl.
9. Toss all ingredients together until well combined.
10. Serve the salad in a bowl.

## Equipment

- large skillet or saute pan
- large pot
- large mixing bowl
- colander
- knife
- cutting board
- tongs
- vegetable peeler/shaver
- measuring spoon
- measuring cup

## Tips

- For best taste, use refrigerated pesto.
- The salad can be dressed and kept in the fridge for several days, making it great for meal prep.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMc2ivWxFCu/?igsh=NHpzejltcXM5eWdo
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/20265981-82c1-432f-848d-db0e631bda91
- Extracted: 2025-08-04

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt