Roasted Cauliflower Cherry Orzo Salad

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 20 min | Course: Dinner | Serves: 6

Caramelized cauliflower, garlic, and orzo pasta get tossed with fresh cherries, mozzarella pearls, and spinach in this delightful Summer pasta. Inspired by Chrissy Teigen in her cookbook, Cravings. I’ve used fresh cherries and mozzarella cheese instead of her craisins and feta feel free to play around and use whatever you have on hand

Roasted Veggies:

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets

7 cloves garlic, minced 

Salt and pepper, to taste

¼ cup olive oil

8 oz orzo pasta, cooked 

Salad:

¼ cup olive oil

1 lemon, zested and juiced

1 tsp Dijon mustard 

Salt and pepper, to taste 

½ red onion, thinly sliced 

4 oz mozzarella cheese pearls 

4 cups baby spinach 

2 cups fresh cherries, pitted 

Preheat the oven to 400°. Cut cauliflower into florets and place on a rimmed baking sheet with garlic, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Stir and bake for 20-25 minutes. The cauliflower will be caramelized or lightly browned. In a large salad bowl, toss the caramelized cauliflower mixture with cooked orzo pasta, red onion, mozzarella cheese pearls, cherries, and baby spinach. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper together and mix with the salad to coat.