Zippity Dooo Daaaa Orzo Salad
Bursting with Mediterranean flavors, the Zippity Dooo Daaaa Orzo Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish that’s perfect for any season. This quick and colorful recipe combines tender orzo pasta with fresh cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, sweet red bell pepper, and briny kalamata olives, all topped with crumbled feta and fragrant herbs like parsley and dill. Tossed in a zesty homemade lemon vinaigrette with a hint of honey, this salad strikes the perfect balance of tangy and savory. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s an ideal option for meal prep, potlucks, or light lunches. Serve it chilled for a cool, satisfying dish that will transport your taste buds straight to the Mediterranean. Keywords: orzo salad recipe, Mediterranean orzo salad, fresh summer salad, easy pasta salad, lemon vinaigrette dressing.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 0.5 medium red onion
- 0.5 cup kalamata olives, sliced
- 0.75 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 0.25 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse the orzo under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
While the orzo cooks, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, sliced kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, and dill.
In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, honey, oregano, salt, and black pepper to make the vinaigrette.
Pour the vinaigrette over the orzo mixture and toss gently but thoroughly to combine, ensuring all the ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to your preference.
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, give it a final toss and garnish with extra parsley or dill if desired. Enjoy your zesty Zippity Dooo Daaaa Orzo Salad!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2498 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 129.2 g | 166% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.7 g | 189% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 150 mg | 50% | |
| Sodium | 5023 mg | 218% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 281.1 g | 102% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 33.1 g | 118% | |
| Total Sugars | 30.3 g | ||
| Protein | 70.0 g | 140% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1216 mg | 94% | |
| Iron | 22.2 mg | 123% | |
| Potassium | 1872 mg | 40% | |
*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.
