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Fresh Greek Orzo Pasta Salad Easy Recipe with Zesty Lemon Herb Dressing

Fresh Greek Orzo Pasta Salad - featured image
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A vibrant and fresh Greek-inspired orzo pasta salad tossed with crisp cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and creamy feta, all coated in a zesty lemon herb dressing. Perfect for quick meals or entertaining with Mediterranean sunshine in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dry orzo pasta (about 270g)
  • 1 large English cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp)
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 ½ cups (270g) of orzo and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain fully.
  2. While the orzo cooks, dice 1 large English cucumber into small cubes and halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes. Pit and slice ½ cup Kalamata olives, and finely chop ¼ cup red onion if using. Chop 2 tbsp fresh dill and 1 tbsp fresh oregano.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, combine ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp), 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, ½ tsp dried oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled orzo, chopped veggies, olives, and crumbled ¾ cup feta. Pour the lemon herb dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon if needed.
  5. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors marry. Give it a gentle stir before plating.

Notes

Do not overcook the orzo; al dente texture is key. Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping. Fresh herbs provide the best flavor, but dried herbs can be used in smaller amounts. Crumble feta cheese for even flavor distribution. The salad tastes better after chilling for at least 30 minutes. For gluten-free, substitute orzo with quinoa or gluten-free pasta. For vegan, omit feta or use vegan cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek orzo salad, lemon herb dressing, Mediterranean pasta salad, easy pasta salad, healthy summer salad, feta cheese salad, quick dinner salad

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/fresh-greek-orzo-pasta-salad-easy-recipe-with-zesty-lemon-herb-dressing/