Description

This Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad is a fresh, colorful, and zesty dish that’s perfect for any occasion—from weekday lunches to picnic spreads. Made with tender orzo pasta, crunchy vegetables, tangy feta, and a lemony vinaigrette, it comes together in under 30 minutes and holds up beautifully in the fridge.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup dry orzo pasta
1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 cup cucumber (diced)
½ cup red bell pepper (diced)
¼ cup red onion (finely chopped)
⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
2 tablespoons fresh dill (optional, chopped)
2 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped (optional))
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1 clove garlic (minced)
Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

Cook the Orzo: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 cup of orzo and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
Prepare the Vegetables: While the orzo cooks, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and optional spinach. Crumble the feta cheese and chop your herbs.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Combine the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, all the chopped veggies, feta, and herbs. Pour the dressing over the top and toss well to coat.
Chill and Serve: For best flavor, chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Before serving, give it a good toss. If needed, add a little more olive oil or lemon juice.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Add delicate greens like spinach or arugula just before serving to keep them crisp.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 280 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 8 g
Cholesterol: 15 mg

Keywords: Orzo Pasta Salad, Salad recipes