Description
Make this amazing Orzo Pasta Salad, loaded with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, orzo, feta cheese, and homemade lemon vinaigrette. This easy pasta salad recipe will be great for a meal prep, side dish, or a Summer picnic meal!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz dried orzo
- 2 cups cucumbers, diced
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt, pepper to taste
Instructions
- How to cook orzo: Boil some water in a saucepan or a pot, season with salt, then add 8 oz dried orzo. Cook until almost cooked, about 8 minutes or until al dente. Drain the liquid and add a teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil and mix in.
- How to make Vinaigrette: In a bowl, mix ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil, ¼ cup lemon juice, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, ½ tsp maple syrup, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste. Whisk everything and set aside.
- How to make the salad: When the cooked orzo has cooled off, add to a large bowl. Add 2 cups diced cucumbers, 1 ½ cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup drained and rinsed chickpeas, ¼ cup finely chopped red onion, ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese, and ¼ cup chopped parsley. Pour in the homemade vinaigrette and toss everything.
Notes
Make sure you don’t overcook the pasta. It should be al dente when you drain. English cucumbers are preferred for more crunch. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 334 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 114 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg
Keywords: orzo pasta salad, lemon orzo salad, mediterranean salad, summer pasta salad