About Recipe for Orzo Pasta Salad

Perfect for a quick lunch or easy side dish, this Orzo Pasta Salad is both incredibly refreshing and delicious. With Orzo Orzo is a small rice-shaped pasta that is perfect blended with fresh veggies, herbs, and a tangy dressing. It’s fast, healthy, and a perfect dish for the summer months, potlucks or school lunchboxes.

This is an article on how to make orzo pasta salad, including step by step instructions, tips and variations on the recipe, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Reasons to Love This Orzo Pasta Salad

  • Light, refreshing and so much flavour.!
  • Great for summer parties, or as meal prep recipe
  • Ready in under 30 minutes
  • Can be served warm or cold
  • A non-meat-centric dish (that can sub in the meat if you want)

What’s in Orzo Pasta Salad

Assembling a delicious orzo salad is simple once you’ve collected your fresh ingredients. You’ll need:

For the Salad:

  • 1 ½ cups orzo pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 1 medium cucumber (diced)
  • ½ small red bell pepper, chopped
  • ¼ red onion (finely diced)
  • ½ cup black olives (sliced)
  • ½ cup feta cheese (crumbled)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
  • 1 tbsp fresh mint (optional)
  • For the Dressing:
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp of lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 garlic clove (minced)
  • Salt & black pepper (season to taste)
  • 1 Tbsp oregano or Italian seasoning

How to Make Orzo Pasta Salad This is a step-by-step recipe.

Cook the Orzo Pasta

  • Fill a large pot with water, add a generous amount of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil.
  • Cook orzo over al dente (8–10 minutes).
  • Drain and rinse with cold water to cool off.

Prepare the Vegetables

  • Chop cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, and herbs.
  • Try to keep them like fresh and crunchy for extra crunchiness.

Make the Dressing

  • In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper until the mixture is well emulsified.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning.

Assemble the Salad

  • In a large mixing bowl, toss together orzo, vegetables and olives.
  • Add the dressing and toss lightly.
  • Toss in crumbled feta and fresh parsley.

Chill & Serve

  • Transfer to the refrigerator, then cover and let chill for at least 20–30 minutes.
  • Chill in the fridge, or serve at room temperature.

Variations & Add-Ons

  • Protein Boost Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas.
  • Additional Vegetables: Roasted zucchini, or spinach, or artichoke hearts are good.
  • Vegan Option: Leave out or substitute feta cheese with vegan cheese.
  • Mediterranean Twist: Mix in sun-dried tomatoes, capers, or pine nuts.

Tips for the Best Orzo Salad

  • Rinse orzo after boiling to prevent a gummy texture.
  • For the best flavor, refrigerate before serving.
  • It’s easy to double for potlucks and parties.
  • Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can you prepare orzo pasta salad in advance?

Yes! This salad is even tastier after a couple of hours in the fridge for flavours to mesh.

Q2. Is orzo pasta salad healthy?

So, it’s full of vegetables, olive oil and feta cheese and a healthy meal.

Q3. Can I serve orzo salad warm?

Absolutely! It’s delicious warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Q4. Me: What can I use as a substitute for orzo pasta?

Couscous, quinoa or small pasta (dateline) shapes all are good substitutes.

Nutrition (Per Serving, approx.)

  • Calories: 280
  • Protein: 9g
  • Carbs: 36g
  • Fat: 12g
  • Fiber: 4g

Final Thoughts

Cook up a batch of this homemade Orzo Pasta Salad and you have a healthy, easy and tasty meal ready for any occasion! It brings the freshness of vegetables and the creaminess of feta together with a tangy lemon dressing to make a whole meal of satisfying goodness.

Whether it’s a picnic you’re packing for, a BBQ, or a light dinner, this Mediterranean orzo salad is bound to be a hit with your family and guests.

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