Cold Orzo Salad
Bright, refreshing, and packed with Mediterranean-inspired flavors, this Cold Orzo Salad is the ultimate go-to for a light yet satisfying dish. Tender orzo pasta is paired with crunchy cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, tangy red onion, and briny Kalamata olives, then elevated with creamy feta cheese and a zesty homemade dressing featuring olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and aromatic oregano. Quick and easy to prepare in just 25 minutes, this chilled pasta salad is perfect for meal prep, summer picnics, or a delightful side dish for grilled mains. Garnished with fresh parsley, it delivers a burst of flavor in every bite while pleasing the eye with its vibrant colors. This effortless recipe is sure to become a crowd favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups orzo pasta
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 0.5 medium red onion
- 0.5 cup kalamata olives
- 0.5 cup feta cheese
- 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 clove garlic
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, about 7-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
While the orzo is cooking, dice the cucumber into small cubes, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and slice the kalamata olives. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, dried oregano, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
Pour the dressing over the orzo mixture and toss well to combine, ensuring that all the ingredients are evenly coated.
Chop the fresh parsley and sprinkle it over the salad. Gently toss again.
Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled and enjoy.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2159 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 108.3 g | 139% | |
| Saturated Fat | 21.9 g | 110% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 67 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 3482 mg | 151% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 258.8 g | 94% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.3 g | 101% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.2 g | ||
| Protein | 52.1 g | 104% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 636 mg | 49% | |
| Iron | 17.2 mg | 96% | |
| Potassium | 944 mg | 20% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
