Easy Orzo Pasta Salad
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
20 mins
-
Cook Time
10 mins
-
Additional Time
1 hr
-
Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
-
Servings
8 servings
-
Calories
309 kcal
-
Course
Side Dish, Main Course, Salad
-
Cuisine
Mediterranean, American
Easy Orzo Pasta Salad
Description
In this recipe, orzo pasta is cooked until tender and cooled before mixing with chickpeas, finely diced red onion, chopped fresh spinach, diced tomatoes, and crumbled feta cheese. The salad is dressed with a vinaigrette featuring olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, a touch of sugar, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder, which balances acidity and slight sweetness with umami and creaminess from the feta.
The salad offers contrasting textures: soft orzo, firm chickpeas, crisp spinach, and juicy tomatoes. It is chilled for at least an hour to let flavors meld, making it a refreshing option for lunch, picnics, or as a side dish with grilled proteins.
It keeps refrigerated in a covered container up to two days and should be stirred before serving again to redistribute the dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups orzo
- 15 ounces chickpeas drained and rinsed, 1 can, canned
- ⅓ cup red onion finely diced
- 2 cups spinach chopped, fresh
- 1 ½ cups tomato diced, diced, fresh
- ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
Dressing
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Cook orzo until tender. Cool.
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk.
- Combine orzo with remaining salad ingredients.
- Toss with dressing and season with salt and pepper.
- Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Store the orzo pasta salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Stir well before serving leftover salad to redistribute the dressing and flavors.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 309 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 309 | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 39g | 13% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 8mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 124mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 346mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 990IU | 20% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 91mg | 9% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
