Orzo pasta is tossed with tomatoes, red pepper, olives and spinach and a simple balsamic vinaigrette for a light, healthy salad you can prepare in no time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Orzo is one of my favorite little pastas, and this Mediterranean Orzo Salad is simple, delicious and healthy.
This light, refreshing salad is great for a picnic, summer potluck or quick, light lunch. If you take your own lunch to work, this is a great option!
Feel free to make substitutions based on what you have handy. Any color of bell pepper works well and so do regular olives and chopped whole tomatoes.
You could even change up the veggies (kale would be great in place of spinach), or add a protein, like leftover chicken, or my personal favorite, chickpeas.
If you grow a garden, you’ll probably have many of the ingredients–like the basil and tomatoes–for this salad right in your own backyard!
I’m sure you’ve heard all about the Mediterranean Diet and how healthy it is.
Which means this is a salad you can feel good about eating and serving to your friends and family.
Don’t have orzo? Almost any pasta will work in this recipe. So will other grains, like quinoa, cous cous and brown rice.
The recipe does make a lot, but it keeps in the refrigerator for up to a week. We never have trouble finishing it at my house!
This Mediterranean Orzo Salad is so versatile and easy, it’s one I find myself making again and again.
What should I serve with Mediterranean Orzo salad?
This orzo salad is one of my favorite summer sides. It goes especially well with grilled beef, chicken and seafood.
These are some of our favorite main dishes to enjoy with this colorful pasta salad.
FAQS
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just use your favorite gluten-free pasta.
Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes, this salad can be made several days ahead of time and stored, covered, in the refrigerator until serving. Be sure to taste and adjust the seasonings just before serving, and add a little extra oil and vinegar, if needed.
Should I cook pasta al-dente for pasta salad?
Actually no–pasta salad is one time you want to fully cook your pasta, and maybe even cook it a few minutes extra. Slightly undercooked, cold pasta isn’t very appetizing.
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what do I need to make this recipe?
- Orzo pasta – or your favorite shape pasta
- Bell peppers – any color
- Cherry tomatoes – or diced large tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- Spinach – I use fresh baby spinach
- Kalamata olives – regular olive work too
- Feta
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper
Be sure to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces orzo pasta
- 1 yellow or red pepper diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives chopped
- 1 cup fresh spinach finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh basil finely chopped
- 1/2 cup feta crumbles
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook 16 ounces orzo pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water and drain.
- In a large bowl, toss pasta with chopped 1 yellow or red pepper, c1 cup cherry tomatoes, o1/2 cup kalamata olives, 1 cup fresh spinach, ba1/2 cup fresh basil and 1/2 cup feta crumbles Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil and 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar. Pour over pasta vegetable mixture and stir to combine. Chill before serving.
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13 comments
Teresa
Can this be made the day before an event?
Katie
What did I do wrong mine is very dark brown? It seems like the bus sonic vinegar is too strong but I only used half a cup.
Judi
I used 1/2 c bal vinegar and I also thought the vinegar was too strong. I might try this recipe again using very little vinegar and see if the taste is better.
rogerafrance
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.