Description
This Best Greek Orzo Salad with feta cheese features everything good about one-dish pasta salad: orzo, cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, cucumber, basil, and a tangy, sweet Italian dressing to tie it all together.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces dry orzo
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ⅔ cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled and chopped
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped basil
- ¼ red onion, chopped
- ½ cup packed baby spinach (optional)
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 cup Italian salad dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup olive oil
- 4 tablespoons grape juice-based vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 teaspoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 3 teaspoons Italian blend dried herb seasoning
Instructions
- Step: Place orzo in a pot, cover with water. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil. Cook 8-9 minutes until tender, drain and rinse with cold water.
- Step: In a large bowl combine orzo, tomatoes, chickpeas, cucumbers, basil, onions and spinach (if using) and toss.
- Step: Toss with the dressing to serve immediately, OR cover tightly and chill until ready to serve, then toss with dressing just before serving.
- Step: To make the dressing, combine all ingredients in a jar. Screw the lid on tightly, shake vigorously until well blended, then chill until ready to use or pour immediately over salad and toss.
Notes
Flavor tip: add sliced avocado and kalamata olives. Use grape juice-based vinegar as a substitute for acidity in the dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 529 kcal
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 729 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 2 mg
Keywords: orzo salad, greek salad, pasta salad, side dish, vegetarian