Orzo Pasta Salad
on May 22, 2023, Updated Apr 15, 2024
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There’s a secret to making my refreshing summertime Orzo Pasta Salad and that is freshly squeezed orange juice. The 🍊 orange juice gives this salad a bright taste with a hint of sweetness. For an even more citrusy flavor, I encourage you to also add orange zest to this dish. Whenever I serve this salad, I’m bombarded with questions on how to make it. Now that you know my secret, please give it a try this ☀️ summer when you’re hosting or bring it along to a summer BBQ. I promise this salad will be the first to disappear from the table.
Why You’ll Love Orzo Pasta Salad
This salad has such a great bright 🍊 citrusy flavor that’s beautifully absorbed by the tender orzo pasta. It’s a beautiful blend of textures as well, with a nice crunch from crispy summery produce and creamy feta cheese. Fresh 🫒 olives add a great briny flavor that pairs perfectly with fresh parsley and dried oregano. The tastes of an 🇮🇹 Italian summer!
How to Prepare Orzo Pasta Salad
🔥 In a pot on the stove, boil the orzo pasta in salted water as per the package directions for al dente.
💦 Strain the orzo and let it cool completely.
🫑 Now, using a sharp knife, finely dice the cucumbers, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion and parsley and add to a bowl.
🍊 Add 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice to the bowl.
🫒 Add the cooled pasta and 1/4 cup olive oil to the bowl.
🧂 Stir well and season with salt and the dried oregano.
🥣 Add the feta and olives, if using, and then toss everything together.
Nonna’s Tip 🍊
The boiling water should be as salty as the sea as it’s your only chance to flavor the orzo.
Variations and Substitutions for Orzo Pasta Salad
- You can use any small pasta shape, pastina, tortellini, or even couscous for this recipe.
- Feel free to add a protein to this Orzo Pasta Salad such as grilled chicken breast pieces, tofu or shrimp 🍤.
- For a higher-protein alternative to orzo, this salad will work beautifully with quinoa too.
- Play with the herbs in this dish and try 🌿 basil, thyme or mint instead of parsley.
- Make this salad gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free pasta instead.
Similar Recipes
Best Served With
- Any grilled item, such as 🥩 The Best Carne Asada (Flat-Iron Steak), Grilled Chicken Thighs or The Best Grilled Salmon Skewers.
- Along with a hearty sandwich 🥪 such as my Italian Chopped Sandwich or Ham and Cheese Sandwiches.
Common Questions
Yes, this Orzo Pasta Salad holds up really well in the fridge for up to 2 days and is best when served at room temperature.
You can use any small pasta shape, pastina, tortellini, or even couscous or quinoa for this recipe.
Use any of your favorite herbs in this Orzo Pasta Salad, such as basil, thyme, and mint.
You can certainly add protein to this Orzo Pasta Salad. Try grilled chicken pieces, tofu, or shrimp. You could also swap the orzo for quinoa as well.
Absolutely feel free to use your favorite gluten-free pasta here instead.
Orzo Pasta Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bag orzo , 340 grams/12 ounces
- ¼ cup olive oil , to taste
- ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3 mini cucumbers, finely diced
- 2 tomatoes, finely diced
- ½ bell pepper, finely diced
- ½ red onion, finely diced (I soaked mine in water for 20 minutes to make it milder, then drain)
- ½ cup fresh parsley , finely diced
- ½ tablespoon dry oregano, to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
- ¼ cup crumbled feta, measure with your heart
- ¼ cup sliced olives , optional
Instructions
- Boil the orzo pasta in boiling salted water as per the package directions.
- Strain the orzo and let it cool completely. Add the olive oil, orange juice, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, parsley, and oregano to a large bowl. Add the cooled pasta. Stir well and season with salt. Mix in the feta and olives, if using.
- Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
There is no olives in the ingredients list, what kind do you use?
Hi! You can use any you like, green or kalamata are always my top choice.
Love this! Easy to make, refreshing and just the right amount of veggies! Will be making this more often. Thank you again for sharing!
Thank you for the amazing comment Tamara!
Absolutely delicious!!!!
Yay, so happy you loved it Janet!