Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe

A Mediterranean orzo pasta salad perfect for a side dish

As summer come to an end  (BOO!), I am trying to squeeze in as many gatherings and picnics as I can. Believe it or not, one of the hardest things for me is side dishes. My sister and I were actually discussing this  a few weeks ago while sitting on the porch of her beach house. She quickly volunteered a Mediterranean orzo pasta salad recipe. She told me she makes this often, especially when she has guests, and it is always a hit.

This recipe is so easy. If you can chop, boil, and stir, you’re golden. This orzo salad also happens to be super healthy, and you can adapt it to make it vegan too!

Flavors and colors that pop

The flavors in this Mediterranean orzo pasta salad recipe go together really well, and the color combo is not too shabby either.

Orzo, is awesome, because it is so versatile. I love its curious rice shape, which by the way makes it ideal for the rice haters out there. Yes they are out there. How can that be?  Who are they? Where do they live?

Even though orzo is pretty easy to cook, I do have one piece of friendly advice: “follow cooking directions carefully.”

Enjoy  making and eating this beautiful and scrumptious Mediterranean orzo salad recipe. Although my version is a side dish, there are options to make it a main. To make it a little bit heartier, toss in some grilled chicken, or Italian sausage.

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5 from 1 vote

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Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe

An easy and delicious orzo salad recipe with tomatoes, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts among other things. A perfect side dish to any picnic.

Course Main dish

Cuisine Mediterranean

Keyword pasta salad, picnic food, take along recipe, vegetarian

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings: Change to adjust-> 8 servings

Calories 212 kcal

Author Analida Braeger

Ingredients

Salad

• 8 oz orzo cooked and cooled
• 1 cup feta cheese crumbled
• 2 Roma tomatoes cored, seeded and diced
• 1 cup artichoke hearts chopped
• 2/3 cup red onion diced
• 3 Tbsp curly parsley chopped
• 1 tsp lemon zest

Dressing

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp cracked pepper
• 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 dash nutmeg
• 1 tsp oregano dried

Instructions

1. Cook orzo according to package instructions, and cool completely.

To assemble the salad

1. Add tomatoes, artichokes, red onion, and parsley. Stir well to combine all ingredients. 

To prepare salad dressing

1. Place all the ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine.

2. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss to evenly coat. 

3. Garnish with lemon zest.

Nutrition Facts

Mediterranean Orzo Salad Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 212 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 5mg2%

Sodium 221mg10%

Potassium 139mg4%

Carbohydrates 24g8%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 520IU10%

Vitamin C 9.8mg12%

Calcium 57mg6%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.