5.0 from 39 votes
Greek Orzo Salad
Greek Orzo Salad for a crowd; aka the most party-perfect orzo pasta salad evahhhh! We're totally crazy in love with this colorful side dish!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
23 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 244 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Salad
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 1-2 cups chopped bell pepper, any color
- 1-2 cups cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ English cucumber, chopped plus any extra to taste
- ½ cup crumbled Feta cheese
- ½ cup finely chopped red onion
- 2-3 TBSP fresh parsley
EASY HOMEMADE GREEK DRESSING
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 TBSP red wine vinegar
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 TBSP Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp dried parsley (or 1 tsp fresh)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp dried basil
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
- banana peppers
- olives
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 2 cups dry orzo pasta and a pinch of salt and cook for 8 minutes or until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water (I do this using a fine mesh sieve, easy peasy!) to halt the cooking process. Add pasta to a large bowl and set aside.
- While your noodles cook, chop your veggies and make the dressing.
- For the dressing, combine ingredients in a lidded jar and shake vigorously to emulsify. Allow to sit while you toss together your salad, then shake again before serving.
- Add all your veggies to the orzo with the dressing and mix well. Top with feta and optional fresh parsley. Give it a taste and add any extra salt and pepper to taste as well as any extra veggies or feta your heart desires.
- Salad may be enjoyed right away (room temperature) or chilled briefly before serving. Both options are delicious. Enjoy!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- For a speedy (and gloriously lazy) alternative dressing, feel free to drizzle olive oil and red wine vinegar over the salad and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bonus points for a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if you have it.
- Making this salad ahead of time? It's great the next day and fabulous in packed lunches for work, school, or picnics. Simply make a little extra dressing to drizzle over the salad the next day, as the pasta will soak up a some of the dressing while it chills. SO GOOD!
- Nutrition facts below are an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
Nutrition Information
Calories
244kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
32g
(11%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
8mg
(3%)
Sodium
204mg
(9%)
Potassium
219mg
(6%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
1250IU
(25%)
Vitamin C
55.4mg
(62%)
Calcium
61mg
(6%)
Iron
0.9mg
(5%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 244
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 244kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 8mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 204mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 219mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 1250IU | 25% |
| Vitamin C | 55.4mg | 62% |
| Calcium | 61mg | 6% |
| Iron | 0.9mg | 5% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.