Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad
Bursting with vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients, this Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad is the perfect combination of refreshing, zesty, and satisfying. Featuring tender orzo pasta tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, briny kalamata olives, and tangy feta cheese, this dish is elevated by a homemade Mediterranean-inspired dressing made with olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and aromatic oregano. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is ideal for meal prep, picnics, or as a light side dish for any occasion. Serve it chilled or at room temperature, and enjoy the fresh, herbaceous flavors of the Mediterranean in every bite. Keywords: Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad, healthy pasta salad, light side dish, Mediterranean flavors, quick and easy recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium cucumber
- 0.5 medium red onion
- 0.5 cup kalamata olives
- 0.75 cup feta cheese
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley
- 0.25 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the orzo and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
While the orzo is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. Halve the cherry tomatoes, peel and dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and slice the kalamata olives into halves. Chop the fresh parsley and crumble the feta cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. This is your dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, kalamata olives, and feta cheese.
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss to combine, ensuring the dressing is evenly distributed. Stir in the chopped parsley.
Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve the orzo pasta salad chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing side dish or light meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
564 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.8 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.6 g | 38% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 25 mg | 8% | |
| Sodium | 1004 mg | 44% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 65.7 g | 24% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.4 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.6 g | ||
| Protein | 14.9 g | 30% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 206 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 3.5 mg | 20% | |
| Potassium | 365 mg | 8% | |
*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.
