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Fresh Greek Orzo Pasta Salad with Lemon Herb Dressing

Greek Orzo Pasta Salad - featured image
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A quick and easy Greek-inspired orzo pasta salad tossed with fresh veggies, herbs, feta, and a tangy lemon herb dressing. Perfect for warm weather, picnics, or light meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (about 270g) uncooked orzo pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 cups (1 liter) of salted water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
  2. Add 1 ½ cups (270g) of orzo and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente.
  3. Drain the cooked orzo in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water to cool and stop cooking. Shake off excess water and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  4. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, finely chop the red onion (if using), slice the Kalamata olives, and crumble the feta cheese. Add all to the bowl with the orzo.
  5. Chop the fresh parsley and oregano and add to the bowl.
  6. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and emulsified.
  7. Pour the dressing over the orzo and veggies and gently toss to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. It can also be served immediately if short on time.

Notes

Do not skip rinsing the orzo to prevent overcooking and sticking. Soaking chopped onion in cold water for 10 minutes can mellow its sharpness. Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes improves flavor melding. Use gluten-free orzo or small rice pasta for gluten-free option. Vegan cheese can substitute feta for dairy-free needs.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek orzo salad, lemon herb dressing, pasta salad, easy summer salad, quick dinner side, healthy pasta salad

Find it online: https://piperplate.com/fresh-greek-orzo-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-lemon-herb-dressing-guide/