This Greek orzo pasta salad is healthy, filling, and refreshing. This recipe is a perfect side dish and great addition to any BBQ this summer.
When I make pasta salad I load it with veggies to make it even more filling and nutritious. This Greek orzo pasta salad is made with tomatoes, cucumbers, artichokes, Greek olives, red onion, fresh herbs, and tossed with a homemade Greek vinaigrette dressing. The Mediterranean flavor is a great alternative to traditional pasta salads which can often be loaded with mayonnaise or taste too vinegary.
What is Orzo?
Orzo is a type of short cut pasta. It can easily be mistaken for rice because it is similar in size and shape, only slightly bigger. I made the mistake once of grabbing it to make risotto not realizing I meant to grab the arborio. That dish came out very mushy. Like pasta it is made from wheat, so if you follow a gluten-free diet, then orzo is not for you. Regular orzo is made with white flour, however I suggest whole-grain orzo because it adds fiber. Most people are surprised to hear that orzo has 7 grams of protein, per serving. Pair it with additional protein sources and you have a complete meal that will provide you with lasting energy.
How do you make Orzo?
Orzo is extremely versatile and is used in soups, casseroles, pilafs and, like in this recipe, salads. It is prepared like any other pasta: boil for 8-10 minutes in water until al dente. For this Greek orzo pasta salad, I drain and rinse under cold water when it is done. Orzo usually comes in a basic pale yellow color, but you can find other color varieties available like the one I used to make this dish. You can find orzo in the pasta aisle of most grocery stores.
Even though this recipe has quite a few ingredients, it is really easy to throw together. As the orzo is boiling, you can get all your chopping done, whisk the dressing, and then toss it all together. I like to use roasted red peppers sometimes instead of raw red pepper, but either option goes well with the orzo. Additionally, if I have grilled vegetables leftover, I will toss some into the salad. Also, if you do not like feta cheese, substitute it for another cheese, like goat cheese, or leave it out entirely. This salad recipe is flexible, so add more or less of any ingredient to adapt it to your personal taste.
This Greek orzo salad can either be served as a side dish or, if you add a protein such as chicken, fish, or shrimp, a main dish. If you prefer to keep it vegetarian, add chickpeas or any other legume. This salad is amazing leftover so double the recipe and enjoy it all week!
Add this recipe to your arsenal because it is a crowd pleaser.
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 Cup dried orzo pasta
- ⅓ English cucumber diced
- 1 Cup cherry tomatoes quartered
- ½ large red pepper diced small
- ½ small red onion diced small
- ⅓ Cup jarred or canned artichoke hearts diced small
- ⅓ Cup Greek olives sliced
- ⅓ cup feta cheese crumbled
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 10 Fresh Basil leaves sliced into slivers
Dressing
- 2 Tablespoons + 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ½ Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- To prepare the orzo, bring a medium sized pot of water to a boil, add the orzo and cook until al dente, 8-10 minutes (follow directions on package). Drain into a colander and rinse with cold water until cooled completely.
- While the orzo is cooking chop all the ingredients (cucumber through basil) and place in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and pepper until smooth.
- Add the cooled orzo pasta and the dressing to the large bowl of vegetables and stir until well combined. Refrigerate for at least a half hour and serve. The longer it sits the more the flavors will combine.
Nutrition Facts
For more great salad recipe ideas check out: Grilled Zucchini-Corn salad, Mexican Street corn salad, and Arugula Spring salad with a Lemon- Honey Vinaigrette
What is your favorite pasta salad?
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