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Vegan Roasted Veggie Orzo Salad Recipe

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4.2 from 13 reviews

A vibrant and hearty vegan roasted veggie orzo salad featuring tender roasted sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and red onions tossed with crunchy roasted chickpeas and walnuts, all combined with al dente orzo pasta and a tangy, herb-infused dressing. Perfect as a nutritious lunch or light dinner, served warm or chilled.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 1 cup dry orzo

Roasted Vegetables

  • 1 medium-large sweet potato, peeled and cut into ½-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
  • ¾ pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered (about 3 cups)
  • 1 medium red onion, roughly chopped
  • Drizzle of olive oil (for roasting, plus more for dressing)
  • Salt, to taste

Roasted Chickpeas and Walnuts

  • 15 ounces canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 2/3 cup walnuts
  • Drizzle of olive oil (for roasting)
  • Salt, to taste

Dressing

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • ¼ teaspoon dried basil
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 small garlic clove, grated
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Additional Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 425ºF (220ºC) to get it hot and ready for roasting the vegetables, chickpeas, and walnuts.
  2. Cook the Orzo: Boil the orzo pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Roast the Vegetables: In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato chunks, Brussels sprouts, and chopped red onion with a generous drizzle of olive oil and salt. Spread them evenly on a large, nonstick rimmed baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through at 10 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender and vegetables are nicely roasted.
  4. Roast Chickpeas and Walnuts: Toss chickpeas and walnuts separately each in a small amount of olive oil and salt. Place them on a small rimmed baking sheet, organizing chickpeas on one side and walnuts on the other. Place this tray on a lower oven rack while vegetables roast.
  5. Remove Walnuts: After about 5 minutes, remove the walnuts once they turn golden and fragrant. Continue roasting the chickpeas until the vegetables finish cooking.
  6. Prepare the Dressing: In a small jar, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, maple syrup, dried basil, oregano, crushed red pepper, grated garlic, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Seal the jar and shake vigorously until well emulsified. Set aside.
  7. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, roasted sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, red onion, roasted chickpeas, and walnuts. Add the dressing, chopped fresh parsley, and dried cranberries. Toss gently to evenly coat everything in the dressing. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve: Enjoy this salad warm right away or refrigerate and serve chilled later as a refreshing, nutrient-packed meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different crunch and flavor.
  • For extra protein boost, add some cooked lentils or tofu cubes.
  • This salad keeps well for up to 3 days refrigerated, making it perfect for meal prep.
  • If you prefer a gluten-free option, substitute orzo with gluten-free pasta or quinoa.
  • The salad can be served warm or cold depending on preference.
  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean
  • Diet: Vegan