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Fresh Greek Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Zesty Lemon Herb Dressing

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A light and refreshing Greek-inspired orzo pasta salad with a zesty lemon herb dressing, perfect for quick meals or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (about 280g) dry orzo pasta
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
  • Juice of 2 large lemons
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 ½ cups dry orzo and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain well and rinse with cool water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain fully.
  2. While the orzo cooks, dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the Kalamata olives, finely chop the red onion (if using), and chop the parsley and oregano. Set aside.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper until smooth and slightly thickened.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, red onion, parsley, oregano, and crumbled feta. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  5. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Give it a gentle toss before plating.

Notes

Rinse orzo under cold water after cooking to stop cooking and prevent sogginess. Whisk lemon juice and mustard before slowly adding olive oil to create a creamy emulsion. Adjust seasoning before serving. Salad keeps well refrigerated up to 3 days. For dairy-free, omit feta or substitute with plant-based cheese or nuts. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta or quinoa.

Nutrition

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

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