Description
A vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad loaded with colorful vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and tossed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for summer gatherings or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium English cucumber, diced
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook orzo according to package directions until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
- 2. While orzo is still slightly warm, toss it with half of the prepared dressing to allow absorption.
- 3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to create the vinaigrette.
- 4. Dice all vegetables into uniform, small pieces roughly the same size as the orzo. Pat cucumber dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- 5. In a large bowl, combine the dressed orzo with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, red onion, and Kalamata olives.
- 6. Add crumbled feta cheese, fresh basil, and fresh parsley to the bowl.
- 7. Pour the remaining dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well combined and evenly coated.
- 8. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Toss again before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reserve some dressing to refresh the salad before serving if it seems dry. Can be served cold or at room temperature. For best results, let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 345mg
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g