Greek Orzo Salad, a 30 minute fabulously delicious pasta salad made with veggies, feta cheese, and a homemade lemon vinaigrette.
Why you'll love this recipe
- A less than 30 minute recipe that can be made with a variety of ingredients.
- Add protein such as chicken and shrimp for a full meal.
- Travels well for pot lucks, picnics, Holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- Orzo is a small pasta that cooks very quickly
- Use an English cucumber, which doesn't need to be peeled.
- Any color bell pepper will work for this recipe. I like red, orange, or yellow for the brightness.
- Feta, is such a great cheese to use, It adds a nice saltiness to the orzo.
- Kalamata olives add a saltiness to the salad that blends nicely with the vinaigrette.
- Use any type of tomato such as grape or cherry tomatoes.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper add an extra level of flavor to the Greek orzo pasta.
Greek Vinaigrette Ingredients
The lemon vinaigrette uses simple pantry staple ingredients for bold flavors that compliment the orzo salad.
If you have fresh oregano available, use about 1 Tablespoon of chopped fresh oregano.
Instructions:
- Cut up your veggies and olives while the orzo cooks according to package instructions.
- Gather the Greek vinaigrette ingredients.
- Make the vinaigrette. This can be made up to 2-3 days ahead of time.
- Mix the veggies with the pasta and pour vinaigrette on the orzo. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight, to blends flavors.
Equipment
- Large Pasta pot
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Medium size bowl
- Whisk
Storage
- Keep the pasta salad in a large mixing bowl covered air tight container in the fridge, up to 4 days.
- The salad can be made one day ahead. Keep in an air tight covered container in the refrigerator.
- The Greek vinaigrette can be made up to 3 days ahead. Keep in the refrigerator in an air tight covered container.
Expert Tips
- Be sure to season the pasta water with a generous amount of salt once it begins to boil. This adds flavor to the pasta.
- While the water boils and orzo is cooking, cut your veggies.
- This is one of those salads that get even better when made ahead one day. Knock yourself out and make it one day ahead of time.
Variations:
This is an orzo salad, however, feel free to use small pasta such as penne, ziti, or rotini.
Roma or vine-ripe tomatoes can be used.
We use olive oil but any favorite such as avocado or sunflower oil can be used.
A store made Greek vinaigrette can top the salad.
Artichoke hearts can be added to the salad.
Use chickpeas in place of pasta.
Add-ins:
- Add baked chicken breasts to the salad.
- Grilled Greek Gyro Chicken is a tasty addition.
- Poached Shrimp would be delish.
There are many great things about this salad. It tastes amazing! Extremely versatile, as you can change up your veggies if you don't love the Greek theme.
In addition, the same goes for the dressing, use another dressing, like lemon tahini or Caesar Dressing if you feel like changing things up.
This orzo pasta salad is awesome to bring to the beach, lake, picnic! The salad travels really well. We bring it along to lacrosse tournaments all the time!
Expert Tips
- Be sure to give this pasta salad recipe enough time in the refrigerator, at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
- Use the time when the orzo is cooking to prep your other ingredients.
- The Greek vinaigrette is can be used on any salad recipe too.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The salad can be made the day before and add the lemon vinaigrette dressing. Let the salad sit in the refrigerator in a covered large mixing bowl.
My preference is to use a pitted kalamata olives. Black olives can also be used.
Orzo is a rice like pasta that is very popular in Mediterranean recipes. It is not naturally gluten-free however, you can purchase gluten-free orzo.
No. There is no need to rinse the pasta before cooking it.
Similar Recipe
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Lentil Salad is a great make ahead salad that is great for summer BBQ's, 4th of July, actually any day.
Greek Chicken Salad is a light and refreshing salad that is quick and easy to prepare.
What can I serve with the salad?
- Pair with Baked Crispy Chicken Drumsticks, one of my personal favorites
- Baked Chicken Quarters would be a great match.
- Marinated Chicken Drumsticks would be a. great combo.
- Parmesan Chicken Tenders would be fantastic with this pasta salad recipe.
- Chicken Sausage Vegetable Skillet is another great choice to pair with the Greek pasta salad.
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Eileen xo
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Easy Greek Orzo Salad Recipe
Equipment Needed:
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Ingredients
Greek Orzo Salad
- 8 ounces dried orzo pasta
- 1 medium English cucumber, chopped
- 1 large any color bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 small red onion, peeled and finely diced
- ½ cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved Note 3
- ⅓ cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 8 ounces crumbled feta cheese
Greek Lemon Vinaigrette
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2-3 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 6 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or 1 Tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
- salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the orzo according to package instructions. Let pasta cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled orzo, diced cucumbers, bell pepper, diced red onion, grape tomatoes, kalamata olives, and feta cheese.
- Mix in the Greek Lemon Vinaigrette,( recipe below) combine well.
- Refrigerate for at least an hour, up to overnight to blend flavors.
Greek Vinaigrette
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Taste for seasoning, re-season if needed.
- Serve over the orzo salad.
Notes
- Keep the pasta salad in a large mixing bowl covered air tight container in the fridge, up to 4 days.
- Artichoke hearts can be added to the salad.
- Add baked chicken breasts to the salad.
- Grilled Greek Gyro Chicken is a tasty addition.
- Poached Shrimp would be delish.
- Be sure to check Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe.
- Check out my store. I am sharing great finds for not just cooking, I hope you check it out here, Everyday Eileen
