Description
Orzo Pasta Salad is a delightful and vibrant dish that combines tender orzo pasta with a medley of fresh vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty lemon-oregano vinaigrette. This salad is perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or family dinners, offering a burst of flavors that will impress your guests. With its colorful ingredients and nutritional benefits, it’s not only delicious but also a healthy choice. Quick to prepare and versatile enough to serve as a light main course or side dish, this Orzo Pasta Salad is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces dry orzo pasta
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, halved
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the orzo in boiling chicken broth with lemon juice and salt for about 8–10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Add the cooled orzo to the dressing along with the cucumber, tomatoes, chickpeas, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. Toss gently until well combined.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving to enhance flavors.
- Just before serving, add fresh basil and parsley for an aromatic finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 10mg