Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad
This orzo pasta salad delivers Mediterranean flavors in every bite, combining tender orzo with crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and fresh herbs.
Servings: 8
Calories: 234kcal
Equipment
- Stockpot Large
- Mixing Bowl Large
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried orzo pasta
- 1 cucumber diced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 small red onion diced
- 12 ounce jar artichoke hearts drained and chopped
- ½ cup pitted large black olives halved
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley or more, chopped
- ⅓ cup fresh mint or more, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup greek salad dressing OR red wine vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice or to taste
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to package directions, but extend the cooking time by 1-2 minutes past al dente since the pasta will firm up when chilled.2 cups dried orzo pasta
- Drain the cooked orzo thoroughly and immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta completely. This step prevents the pasta from continuing to cook and ensures it won't wilt your fresh vegetables.
- Transfer the cooled orzo to a large mixing bowl and add the diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, chopped artichoke hearts, halved black olives, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh parsley and mint.1 cucumber, 2 cups cherry tomatoes, 1 small red onion, 12 ounce jar artichoke hearts, ½ cup pitted large black olives, ½ cup crumbled feta cheese, ⅓ cup fresh parsley, ⅓ cup fresh mint
- Pour the Greek dressing and fresh lemon juice over the salad, then toss everything gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are well coated and evenly distributed throughout the mixture.¼ cup greek salad dressing OR red wine vinaigrette, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, Salt and pepper
Notes
- Pasta Texture - Cook the orzo slightly past al dente since it will firm up when chilled, ensuring the perfect texture in your finished salad.
- Temperature Control - Always rinse cooked pasta with cold water and let it cool completely before adding fresh vegetables to prevent wilting.
- Flavor Development - This orzo pasta salad tastes even better after chilling for at least an hour, as the pasta absorbs the dressing and flavors meld together.
- Fresh Herb Handling - Add delicate herbs like mint and parsley just before serving if you want them to stay bright green and fresh-looking.
Nutrition
Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 361mg | Potassium: 437mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 581IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Vitamin D: 0.04µg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 2mg