Description
Orzo Pasta Salad is a delightful and colorful dish that encapsulates the vibrant flavors of summer. This refreshing salad combines tender orzo pasta with an array of fresh vegetables, including cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and chickpeas, all tossed in a zesty lemon-oregano vinaigrette. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or family gatherings, this salad is not only quick to prepare but also highly versatile, serving well as both a light main course or a side dish. With its nutritious ingredients and eye-catching presentation, Orzo Pasta Salad is sure to impress your guests and become a staple in your recipe collection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces dry orzo pasta
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, halved
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons red apple vinegar
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the orzo in boiling chicken broth with lemon juice and salt for about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red apple vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper until well blended.
- Add the cooled orzo to the dressing along with diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, drained chickpeas, chopped red onion, halved Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Gently toss until well combined.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.
- Just before serving, add chopped fresh basil and parsley on top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 10mg