Orzo Salad with Spinach and Feta
Brighten up your table with this vibrant and Mediterranean-inspired Orzo Salad with Spinach and Feta! Bursting with fresh, wholesome ingredients like tender orzo pasta, crisp spinach, juicy cherry tomatoes, and briny kalamata olives, this dish is elevated by the tangy creaminess of feta cheese and a zesty lemon-garlic dressing. Perfect as a light lunch, a crowd-pleasing side dish, or a refreshing make-ahead option for picnics and potlucks, this salad is as versatile as it is delicious. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a quick and nutrient-packed choice that tastes great served chilled or at room temperature. With flavors of oregano and parsley tying it all together, this orzo salad is a healthy, easy-to-make recipe that transports you straight to the Mediterranean.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 3 ounces feta cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 0.25 cup red onion
- 0.5 cup kalamata olives
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Instructions
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and let it cool slightly.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until well combined.
Chop the spinach into bite-sized pieces, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and roughly chop the kalamata olives. Crumble the feta cheese if it’s not pre-crumbled.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, spinach, cherry tomatoes, red onion, olives, and feta cheese.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring the dressing evenly coats all ingredients.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1689 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 94.5 g | 121% | |
| Saturated Fat | 21.1 g | 106% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 76 mg | 25% | |
| Sodium | 3682 mg | 160% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 178.8 g | 65% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 24.4 g | 87% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.0 g | ||
| Protein | 42.3 g | 85% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 739 mg | 57% | |
| Iron | 16.8 mg | 93% | |
| Potassium | 587 mg | 12% | |
*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.
