Description
A refreshing salad featuring orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- ½ red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Lemon Vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring 1 ½ cups of water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- While the orzo is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and olives. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
- In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake well until emulsified.
- Add the cooked and cooled orzo to the bowl with the chopped vegetables. Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese and chopped parsley, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the salad.
- Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a vegan option, omit the feta cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
- This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for several days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 10mg