Description
This Orzo Salad is a light, fresh pasta salad that is perfect for a summer BBQ menu, loaded with flavor from roasted red peppers, spinach, and feta with a delicious lemon honey vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons honey
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups orzo pasta
- 6 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup roasted red peppers, blotted dry and chopped
- 1 cup baby spinach, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 3 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese (microbial-rennet)
- 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
Instructions
- Vinaigrette: Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and honey; season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Bring vegetable broth to a boil in a saucepan, add the orzo, and cook until tender according to package directions.
- Cool Pasta: Drain the orzo very well in a fine mesh colander (do not rinse), transfer to a large mixing bowl, and toss with 1 or 2 teaspoons of the prepared dressing to prevent sticking; let cool to room temperature.
- Mix Vegetables: Toss the cooled pasta with the roasted red peppers, spinach, basil, and green onions.
- Dress Salad: Pour the remaining vinaigrette over the salad and stir to coat the ingredients; season with salt and pepper if desired.
- Final Touch: Sprinkle the feta and pine nuts over the top and toss lightly.
Notes
Variations: Replace roasted red peppers with halved cherry or grape tomatoes, or add chopped cucumbers for crunch. Sliced or slivered almonds can be used instead of pine nuts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 607 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 22 mg
Keywords: orzo salad, spinach and feta, Mediterranean pasta salad, summer side dish