Tantalize your taste buds with a culinary journey to the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean with our delectable Mediterranean Orzo Salad. This vibrant salad is a symphony of flavors and textures, featuring plump and chewy orzo pasta, a medley of crisp vegetables, juicy tomatoes, savory olives, aromatic herbs, and a tangy dressing that brings it all together. Get ready to embark on a delightful adventure with our diverse collection of Mediterranean Orzo Salad recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish. From a vibrant and colorful salad bursting with fresh vegetables to a hearty and satisfying version with grilled chicken or shrimp, we have something to satisfy every palate. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on this culinary voyage to the heart of the Mediterranean.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD
This light and refreshing cold pasta salad is loaded with the flavors of the Mediterranean, and pairs well with grilled proteins, such as fish, pork, chicken or steak. If you make this in advance, reserve a bit of the dressing to add right before serving, as the pasta has a tendency to soak up the dressing as it sits over time.
Provided by Kim's Cooking Now
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 55m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 9 minutes. Drain well. Rinse with cold water and drain well again.
- Combine orzo, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, olives, and Asiago cheese in a large bowl.
- Whisk garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl to make the vinaigrette. Drizzle over the orzo mixture and toss lightly to combine. Add basil and parsley and mix well. Let sit for 20 minutes for flavors to blend, stirring occasionally.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 418.2 calories, Carbohydrate 34.7 g, Cholesterol 16.1 mg, Fat 27 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 10.5 g, SaturatedFat 6.3 g, Sodium 819 mg, Sugar 2.6 g
MEDITERRANEAN SHRIMP ORZO SALAD
This pretty crowd-pleaser always stands out on the buffet table. With plenty of shrimp, artichoke hearts, olives, peppers and a host of herbs, it's a tasty change of pace from pasta salads. I serve it with a from-scratch vinaigrette. -Ginger Johnson, Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cold water and drain well., In a large bowl, combine orzo, shrimp, vegetables, olives and herbs. Add vinaigrette; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 397 calories, Fat 12g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 65mg cholesterol, Sodium 574mg sodium, Carbohydrate 52g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 18g protein.
MEDITERRANEAN ORZO CHICKEN SALAD
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta; rinse with cold water and drain well., In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, tomatoes, cheese, olives and onion. In a small bowl, whisk remaining ingredients until blended. Drizzle over salad; toss to coat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 397 calories, Fat 16g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 47mg cholesterol, Sodium 407mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 10g fiber), Protein 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN AND ORZO SALAD IN RED PEPPER CUPS
This yummy recipe won my mom a blue ribbon at the Wisconsin State Fair. It is very beautiful and flavorful!
Provided by geranium
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Greek Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 1h1m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the orzo, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink, transfer to a bowl, and let cool in the refrigerator.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, oregano, basil, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In a large bowl, stir together the cooked orzo, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and chicken breast meat until thoroughly combined. Pour the dressing over the orzo mixture, lightly mix to coat all ingredients with dressing, and spoon into the red pepper halves. Garnish each serving with an oregano sprig.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 461.9 calories, Carbohydrate 52.3 g, Cholesterol 30.9 mg, Fat 19.9 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 18 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Sodium 579.9 mg, Sugar 4 g
EASY MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD
This salad is an incorporation of a variety of Mediterranean ingredients with a light lemon sauce to bind it all together. Feel free to substitute ingredients for a more customized salad. Due to many ingredients I've listed having a naturally salty flavor, I've refrained from the addition of salt.
Provided by thedailygourmet
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain well.
- Toss orzo with lemon-infused olive oil. Add olives, artichoke hearts, chickpeas, roasted red peppers, pine nuts, and ricotta salata. Toss to combine. Refrigerate to chill and allow flavors to build.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 183.1 calories, Carbohydrate 25 g, Cholesterol 4.2 mg, Fat 7 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 6.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 255.6 mg, Sugar 1.7 g
MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SPINACH SALAD
A bright, flavorful array of Mediterranean ingredients!
Provided by JULIEP
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 35m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add orzo pasta, cook for 5 minutes, or until al dente. Drain.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the lamb and garlic in the skillet. Season lamb with coriander, salt, and pepper. Cook until evenly browned. Remove from heat, and drain.
- In a large bowl, mix the spinach, tomatoes, lemon juice and zest, mint, parsley, green onions, and remaining olive oil. Toss with the orzo, lamb, and feta cheese to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 461.1 calories, Carbohydrate 34.5 g, Cholesterol 88 mg, Fat 25 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 25.6 g, SaturatedFat 11.3 g, Sodium 535.1 mg, Sugar 4.2 g
MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD WITH FETA VINAIGRETTE
Steps:
- Cook the orzo according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain; rinse with cold water. Combine orzo, spinach, and next 5 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl. Drain artichokes, reserving marinade. Coarsely chop artichokes, and add artichokes, reserved marinade, and 1/2 cup feta cheese to orzo mixture, tossing gently to coat. Sprinkle each serving with remaining feta cheese. Nutritional Information Calories:338 (29% from fat) Fat:11g (sat 3.8g,mono 2.7g,poly 0.5g) Protein:11.9g
Tips:
- Selecting the right orzo pasta is essential. Look for a high-quality orzo that is made from durum wheat and has a slightly nutty flavor. You can find orzo in the pasta aisle of most grocery stores.
- To ensure the vegetables retain their vibrant colors and crisp texture, blanch them in boiling water for a short period before adding them to the salad.
- For a zesty and flavorful dressing, use a combination of fresh lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and dried oregano. You can adjust the proportions to suit your taste preferences.
- To add a touch of sweetness and crunch, consider incorporating dried cranberries or chopped walnuts into the salad. These ingredients provide a delightful contrast to the savory flavors.
- If you prefer a vegan or dairy-free version, you can replace the feta cheese with crumbled tofu or a vegan cheese alternative. Additionally, you can use a plant-based milk, such as almond or oat milk, in place of the cow's milk.
Conclusion:
The Mediterranean orzo salad is a delightful dish that embodies the vibrant flavors and healthy ingredients of the Mediterranean region. With its combination of tender orzo pasta, crisp vegetables, tangy dressing, and flavorful herbs, this salad offers a satisfying and nutritious meal. Whether you're looking for a refreshing summer lunch, a flavorful side dish, or a healthy potluck contribution, the Mediterranean orzo salad is sure to impress. Experiment with different variations, such as adding grilled chicken or shrimp, to create a main course salad that tantalizes your taste buds.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
#time-to-make #course #main-ingredient #preparation #occasion #salads #side-dishes #eggs-dairy #vegetables #easy #potluck #summer #cheese #seasonal #pasta-rice-and-grains #to-go #4-hours-or-less
You'll also love