Best 4 Greek Orzo Pasta Salad Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to the sun-kissed shores of Greece with this delectable Greek Orzo Pasta Salad. This vibrant dish captures the essence of Greek flavors, blending tender orzo pasta, crisp vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a refreshing lemon-oregano vinaigrette. With variations ranging from classic to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, this article offers a symphony of flavors to tantalize every palate. Dive into the authentic Greek Orzo Pasta Salad recipe, featuring juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, red onions, and Kalamata olives. Discover the vibrant Vegetarian Greek Orzo Pasta Salad, bursting with roasted red peppers, zucchini, and artichoke hearts. Indulge in the wholesome Vegan Greek Orzo Pasta Salad, where crumbled tofu and a creamy tahini dressing take center stage. For a gluten-free twist, explore the Gluten-Free Greek Orzo Pasta Salad, using a medley of quinoa, brown rice, and lentil pasta. Each recipe is a testament to the versatility and deliciousness of Greek cuisine, promising an explosion of flavors in every bite.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD



Mediterranean Orzo Salad image

You'll love this easy orzo salad loaded with chopped veggies, fresh herbs and other Mediterranean favorites. Tossed in a bold lemony dressing. For the best flavor, dress the Mediterranean orzo salad while the orzo is still a little warm. Pasta that hasn't cooled completely will drink up the dressing really well. And allow the salad to sit for at least a few minutes (or up to an hour in the fridge) for the flavors to meld before serving.

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories     Salad

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 ½ cup dry orzo pasta
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, (halved)
2 green onions, (trimmed and chopped (both white and green parts))
½ green bell pepper, (seeds removed, chopped)
1 cup packed chopped fresh parsley, (about 1 ½ ounces)
½ cup packed chopped fresh dill, (about 0.5 ounces)
¼ cup sliced pitted kalamata olives, (about 1 ounce)
2 teaspoons capers
Feta cheese, (to your liking)
1 lemon, (zested and juiced)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, (minced)
1 teaspoon oregano

Steps:

  • Cook the orzo pasta according package instructions (mine took about 8 minutes). Drain and cool briefly.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the grape tomatoes, green onions, bell peppers, parsley, dill, olives and capers (hold the feta for now). Add the orzo pasta.
  • Make the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, oregano and a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Whisk to combine.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined and the orzo pasta is well coated with the dressing.
  • Top with pieces of creamy feta cheese. Cover and refrigerate for a bit before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 111.1 kcal, Carbohydrate 6.9 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Cholesterol 0.4 mg, Sodium 39.4 mg, Fiber 2.3 g, ServingSize 1 serving

GREEK ORZO SALAD (ORZO FETA SALAD)



Greek Orzo Salad (Orzo feta salad) image

Greek Orzo Salad with feta cheese is one of those super simple dishes that take just so little effort to prepare! Short cooking time, little preparation and you will have a delicious light meal or side dish in 30'!

Provided by Eli K. Giannopoulos

Categories     Salad

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 tbsp olive oil
a kettle of boiling water
300g orzo (1 3/4 cups)
400g cherry tomatoes (14 oz)
1 small red onion
1 English cucumber
2 handfuls Kalamata olives
30g fresh basil leaves (1 oz)
15g fresh dill (1/2 oz)
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 tsp red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
zest of 1 lemon
salt to taste
black pepper to taste
180g cubed feta (6 oz)

Steps:

  • To prepare this delicious Greek orzo salad recipe, start with cooking the orzo pasta. Boil the water in the kettle. At the same time heat the olive oil over a medium high heat in a large saucepan. Once the oil is shimmering, add the orzo and cook, stirring often until the orzo starts to color. Fill the pan with boiling water, stir in a of teaspoon of salt and cook the orzo for 10-12 minutes, until just tender and al-dente.
  • Drain the orzo and rinse under a cold tap until the water running out the pasta runs clear. Set aside to drain away any excess water, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta sticking to each other.
  • Meanwhile, quarter the cherry tomatoes, peel and finely chop the onion and the cucumber, and quarter the olives.
  • Transfer the cooked orzo to a large bowl and stir in the salad vegetables. Roughly chop the fresh herbs and add those too.
  • To make the dressing, in a small bowl combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, lemon zest, and a generous amount of salt and pepper. Stir this into the orzo mixture.
  • Add the cubed feta and stir carefully, making sure the cheese pieces don't break up too much. Season to taste with more salt and pepper, if needed, and leave to stand in the fridge for roughly an hour before serving to allow the orzo to soak up the dressing. Enjoy!

GREEK ORZO SALAD



Greek Orzo Salad image

A delicious, colorful salad, with artichoke hearts and feta. I receive a lot of requests for this one.

Provided by Patrice

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 ½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
2 (6 ounce) cans marinated artichoke hearts
1 tomato, seeded and chopped
1 cucumber, seeded and chopped
1 red onion, chopped
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 (2 ounce) can black olives, drained
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon lemon pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Drain artichoke hearts, reserving liquid.
  • In large bowl combine pasta, artichoke hearts, tomato, cucumber, onion, feta, olives, parsley, lemon juice, oregano and lemon pepper. Toss and chill for 1 hour in refrigerator.
  • Just before serving, drizzle reserved artichoke marinade over salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 325.8 calories, Carbohydrate 48.7 g, Cholesterol 22.3 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Fiber 4.8 g, Protein 13.1 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 615.2 mg, Sugar 4.5 g

GREEK ORZO SALAD



Greek Orzo Salad image

Tart and refreshing, this side salad is a big hit at Judy Roberts' Las Vegas, Nevada home. With all the tasty toppings-including red onion, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese and a zesty dressing-you'd never know it has just 7 grams of fat. "Tiny pasta called orzo gives it extra interest," Judy notes.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
6 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
12 pitted ripe or Greek olives, halved
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

  • Cook orzo according to package directions; drain. In a large serving bowl, toss orzo with 2 teaspoons oil. , In another bowl, combine the onion, parsley, vinegar, oregano, salt, sugar, pepper and remaining oil; pour over orzo and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2-24 hours. Just before serving, gently stir in tomatoes, cucumber, olives and cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 120 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 498mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

  • Choose the right orzo pasta. Look for a brand that is made with 100% durum wheat semolina, which will give the pasta a firm texture and prevent it from becoming mushy.
  • Cook the orzo pasta al dente. This means that the pasta should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and lose its flavor.
  • Use a variety of vegetables. The more vegetables you add to your Greek orzo pasta salad, the more flavorful and nutritious it will be. Some good options include tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, and olives.
  • Don't be afraid to add some protein. If you want to make your Greek orzo pasta salad a more complete meal, you can add some protein, such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
  • Use a flavorful dressing. The dressing is what really brings all the flavors of a Greek orzo pasta salad together. A good dressing will be made with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs.

Conclusion:

Greek orzo pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or as a side dish. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With its combination of fresh vegetables, flavorful dressing, and hearty orzo pasta, Greek orzo pasta salad is sure to be a hit at your next gathering.

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