Name: Orzo Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 8 oz dried orzo pasta (cooked and cooled); 1/2 English cucumber (quartered); 1 cup grape tomatoes (halved); 1/2 cup sliced kalamata olives; 1/2 cup crumbled feta; 1/4 cup diced red onion; 1/4 cup lemon vinaigrette dressing

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Who doesn’t love a good salad with pasta and veggies? This Orzo Salad is simple and quick to make in 20 minutes or so and can be made ahead to enjoy all week or to take to a get-together.

Why does it always feel so hard to come up with good side dishes that are tasty, healthy and easy? I need side dishes that aren’t a lot of work, include veggies and can be made ahead if needed.

This Orzo Salad is perfect not only as a side dish for family dinners like Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Salmon, but also for taking along to get-togethers or picnics.

With fresh chopped cucumber and tomato, tangy kalamata olive and feta and my homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing, this salad comes together in about 10 minutes for a side dish everyone will love.

Ingredient Notes

Regular or whole wheat orzo will work for this recipe
English cucumbers are sometimes called Hothouse cucumbers. They are basically the ones with less seeds and more tender skin.
You can buy already sliced kalamata olives and already crumbled feta as a timesaver

Preparation Notes

Chop your tomatoes, onions and cucumbers while the pasta cooks ahead of time or while the pasta cooks for easier prep later
Let the pasta cool completely before tossing with veggies and cheese or the veggies will wilt and the cheese will melt (yuck)

Recipe Notes

You can double the recipe for a large crowd
Prep the ingredients individually ahead of time toss together the day before to save time
Buy already sliced olives and crumbled cheese to save time
Store leftovers in airtight container

How To Prep Ahead

Chop the veggies and precook the pasta and store separately until ready to serve
Toss together an hour or day in advance

How To Store Leftovers

Store in airtight containers in fridge for up to 2 days

Related Recipes

Perfect for serving up alongside your favorite protein like salmon or chicken.

Orzo Salad

Print Recipe

Who doesn’t love a good salad with pasta and veggies? This Orzo Salad is simple and quick to make in 20 minutes or so and can be made ahead to enjoy all week or to take to a get-together.

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Prep Time:10

Cook Time:10

Ingredients

8 oz dried orzo pasta cooked and cooled
1/2 English cucumber quartered
1 cup grape tomatoes halved
1/2 cup sliced kalamata olives
1/2 cup crumbled feta
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup lemon vinaigrette dressing

Instructions

Gently toss ingredients in large bowl to combine
Serve garnished with parsley if desired

Notes

Double the recipe for a large crowd
Save time! Prep ingredients individually ahead of time, toss together the day before, buy already sliced olives and crumbled cheese
Chop veggies and precook pasta, store separately until ready to serve
Toss together an hour or day in advance
Chop veggies while the pasta cooks
Cool pasta completely before tossing with veggies and cheese
Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge, up to 2 days

Nutrition

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 185kcal

Author: Jennifer Draper