If you have been craving falafel but cannot decide which of the many possible sides to enjoy it with, this falafel bowl is a perfect choice! It combines five delicious Mediterranean recipes to create a filling meal you can easily make in advance and th…
If you have been craving falafel but cannot decide which of the many possible sides to enjoy it with, this falafel bowl is a perfect choice! It combines five delicious Mediterranean recipes to create a filling meal you can easily make in advance and throw together for a quick lunch or dinner. The best part...
This light and refreshing lentil tabbouleh salad recipe puts a delicious twist on the classic tabbouleh that will fill you up without weighing you down! Requiring just three steps to make, this easy Mediterranean dish is perfect for a quick and easy lu…
This light and refreshing lentil tabbouleh salad recipe puts a delicious twist on the classic tabbouleh that will fill you up without weighing you down! Requiring just three steps to make, this easy Mediterranean dish is perfect for a quick and easy lunch. Or, serve it on a platter with fresh pita bread, fruits, and...
Say hello to one seriously satisfying salad: the vegan BLT! Think all the flavor of your favorite sandwich with salty tempeh bacon, tangy tomatoes, and crunchy lettuce tossed in a creamy ranch dressing. She’s nourishing and DREAMY!
Just 7 ingredients r…
Say hello to one seriously satisfying salad: the vegan BLT! Think all the flavor of your favorite sandwich with salty tempeh bacon, tangy tomatoes, and crunchy lettuce tossed in a creamy ranch dressing. She’s nourishing and DREAMY!
Just 7 ingredients required for this EASY, veggie-packed, plant-based twist on a classic. Let’s make BLTs in a bowl!
This bountiful salad begins with a mix of fresh veggies including crunchy romaine, sweet cherry tomatoes, hydrating cucumber, satisfying avocado, and peppery red onion.
If you are looking for a simple salad recipe, you have come to the right place. This Mango Salad only takes 10 minutes to make, is colorful, refreshing, and SO delicious. Mangoes are tender, juicy, and oh so sweet and I love using then to make mango sa…
If you are looking for a simple salad recipe, you have come to the right place. This Mango Salad only takes 10 minutes to make, is colorful, refreshing, and SO delicious. Mangoes are tender, juicy, and oh so sweet and I love using then to make mango salsa and this easy salad. Along with ripe…
This light and refreshing cold cucumber soup is the perfect answer to a hot summer day. With fresh cucumber as its star ingredient alongside avocado, garlic, and flavorful herbs, it is a nutritious choice for any meal. It is also easy to make and ready…
This light and refreshing cold cucumber soup is the perfect answer to a hot summer day. With fresh cucumber as its star ingredient alongside avocado, garlic, and flavorful herbs, it is a nutritious choice for any meal. It is also easy to make and ready in just 15 minutes! If you are looking for other...
This light and creamy chilled roasted red pepper soup is a mouthwatering way to fill you up and cool you down without weighing you down! Made with crisp red peppers, fresh vegetables, and flavorful herbs, this cold soup is an excellent addition to your…
This light and creamy chilled roasted red pepper soup is a mouthwatering way to fill you up and cool you down without weighing you down! Made with crisp red peppers, fresh vegetables, and flavorful herbs, this cold soup is an excellent addition to your summer menu. For more refreshing and easy soup recipes that are...
Weeknight ease with weekend flavor? These Mediterranean-inspired nourish bowl do it all! Waves of flavor come from roasted eggplant and chickpeas, Greek-inspired lemon rice, an herby tomato cucumber salad, and creamy tahini sauce. It’s the best of summ…
Weeknight ease with weekend flavor? These Mediterranean-inspired nourish bowl do it all! Waves of flavor come from roasted eggplant and chickpeas, Greek-inspired lemon rice, an herby tomato cucumber salad, and creamy tahini sauce. It’s the best of summer, all in one bowl!
It’s a fresh, flavorful, satisfying plant-based meal that’s easy to make and been on repeat in our kitchens lately. Let’s make it!
These nourish bowls begin with roasting eggplant and chickpeas until golden brown and caramelized.
This Mediterranean bean salad is one of my all-time favorite salads and sides. Bold claim, I know, but I can back it up. I’ve been loving this recipe for ten years running now!
This salad is crisp and satisfying, fresh and full of bright Mediterranean flavors. The recipe features hearty kidney beans and chickpeas, which balance crisp cucumber, celery and red onion. The remaining simple ingredients—lemon and olive oil, garlic and lots of fresh leafy herbs—yield truly irresistible results.
This Mediterranean-style salad is perfect for spring picnics, summer potlucks and cozy fall get-togethers. It’s a crowd-pleasing salad or side dish that suits most special diets, too. The recipe is vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.
With how quickly this salad comes together, it’s an easy addition to your weekend menu! It’s a simple chop, whisk and stir situation that’s ready in about 20 minutes. I hope this dish becomes one of your standby recipes, too.
This orzo pasta salad recipe is the perfect side dish or lunch! Bursting with flavor, it’s loaded with fresh veggies and feta cheese.
Need an easy side dish or lunch idea? This orzo pasta salad recipe is bursting with flavor and the perfect accessory for any meal. It stars the tender pasta grains with crunchy veggies, salty feta cheese, fresh herbs and a zippy vinaigrette dressing. The best part? It tastes great for days! Leftovers hold up well in the fridge, making it perfect for lunches throughout the week too.
Ingredients in orzo pasta salad
This orzo pasta salad recipe is simple to put together: it’s a matter of cooking pasta, chopping veggies, and making a quick vinaigrette! The flavor profile has Mediterranean or Greek vibe, bursting with fresh herbs, lemon and olive oil. You can also add any vegetables you like! Here’s what you’ll need for the base salad:
Orzo
English cucumber
Cherry tomatoes
Shallot
Fresh oregano and parsley
Lemon juice and lemon zest
Red wine vinegar
Garlic powder, dried dill, and salt
Olive oil
Feta cheese crumbles
Types of orzo
Orzo is a small pasta that’s shaped like grains of rice. Known as risoni in Italy, it can be served in various ways: as a side dish, pilaf, as part of an orzo salad, or in soups. There are several sizes of orzo available in stores; we prefer the medium grains that are about the size of grains of rice. You can also find different colors of orzo, like tricolor orzo that’s colored naturally with sundried tomatoes and spinach.
Variations and mix-ins
This orzo pasta salad is easily customizable to the ingredients you have on hand or your flavor preferences! It would be perfect with Kalamata olives like in a Greek pasta salad, or whatever vegetables are hiding in your refrigerator. Here are a few ideas for adding to this orzo pasta salad:
Kalamata olives
Red pepper, diced
Jarred roasted red pepper, diced
Broccoli, cut into very small florets
Red onion slices
Zucchini, small diced
Spinach or kale, chopped
Orzo pasta salad storage info
This orzo pasta salad recipe tastes great the day it is made, but it stores very well! You can also make it in advance and refrigerate until serving, or keep it refrigerated as a lunch idea to eat throughout the week. Here are a few tips for storage:
This orzo pasta salad lasts for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. It’s ideal for making ahead or healthy lunches throughout the week.
Refresh the flavors before serving. Bring the salad to room temperature. Then stir in a drizzle of olive oil and a bit more crumbled feta cheese. You may or may not need an extra pinch of salt.
Ways to serve it
Pasta salad recipes are fun and versatile: they work with just about anything! They’re great for a summer dinner with any grilled main, or with fish, chicken, or vegetarian mains. Or add pita bread for a light lunch! Here are a few great ways to serve it:
Fill a medium pot with 10 cups water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add the orzo and stir. Bring the pot back to a boil, then boil for about 8 minutes until the orzo is tender. Place the orzo in a strainer to drain, then rinse it under cold water until it comes to room temperature.
Meanwhile, prepare the fresh vegetables and herbs as noted in the ingredient list.
In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, lemon zest, red wine vinegar, garlic, garlic powder, dill, and kosher salt. Then whisk in the olive oil.
Once the orzo is done, add it to the large bowl of dressing and toss with the chopped vegetables and herbs. Add the feta cheese and fresh ground black pepper and stir to combine.
Taste and add more salt to taste if necessary. Serve immediately. Stores up to 5 days refrigerated (leftovers taste great; allow to come to room temperature and add a swirl more olive oil or a bit more cheese or salt as necessary).
Category:Side dish
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Pasta salad
Diet:Vegetarian
Keywords: Orzo pasta salad, orzo pasta salad recipe, orzo salad
True Food, you’ve stolen our hearts with your Watermelon Salad. We’re talking one of the best salads we’ve ever eaten. A homemade rendition had to happen!
Friends, it’s now your turn to be swept off your feet. Just 20 minutes stand between …
True Food, you’ve stolen our hearts with your Watermelon Salad. We’re talking one of the best salads we’ve ever eaten. A homemade rendition had to happen!
Friends, it’s now your turn to be swept off your feet. Just 20 minutes stand between you and this show-stopping, sweet + spicy watermelon salad that’s so hydrating, fresh, and perfect for summer. Let us show you how it’s done!
The base of this AMAZING salad is crunchy cucumber and sweet watermelon with bites of avocado and cherry tomatoes.