Description
Orzo Pasta Salad is a delightful and vibrant dish that captures the essence of Mediterranean flavors in every bite. This refreshing salad features tender orzo pasta tossed with crisp vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty lemon-oregano dressing. It’s perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or as a nutritious side dish to complement your favorite grilled proteins. Not only is it quick to prepare—taking just 25 minutes—but it is also a fantastic make-ahead option, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully overnight. With its colorful presentation and wholesome ingredients, this Orzo Pasta Salad is sure to impress at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces dry orzo pasta
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, halved
- 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring low-sodium chicken broth and lemon juice to a boil. Add orzo and salt; cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Combine cooked orzo with diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, red onion, olives, and feta in the bowl with dressing. Toss until well-coated.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving. Add fresh basil before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling/Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg