MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD — Orzo pasta is tossed with tomatoes, red pepper, olives and spinach and a simple balsamic vinaigrette for a light, healthy salad you can prepare in no time.
Orzo is one of my favorite little pastas, and this Mediterranean Orzo Salad is simple, delicious and healthy.
This light, refreshing salad is great for a picnic, summer barbecue or quick, light lunch. If you take your own lunch to work, this is a great option!
Feel free to make substitutions based on what you have handy. Any color of bell pepper works well and so do regular olives and halved cherry tomatoes.
You could even change up the veggies (kale would be great in place of spinach), or add a protein, like leftover chicken, or my personal favorite, chickpeas.
If you grow a garden, you’ll probably have many of the ingredients–like the basil and tomatoes–for this salad right in your own backyard!
This Mediterranean Orzo Salad is so versatile and easy, it’s one I make again and again.
Be sure to save this Mediterranean Orzo Salad recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Here’s what you’ll need to make Mediterranean Orzo Salad
- Orzo pasta
- Produce: bell peppers, tomatoes, fresh basil, spinach
- Kalamata olives
- Feta
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Orzo pasta is tossed with tomatoes, red pepper, olives and spinach and a simple balsamic vinaigrette for a light, healthy salad you can prepare in no time.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces orzo pasta
- 1 yellow or red pepper, diced
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, chopped
- 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup feta crumbles
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook orzo according to package directions. Rinse with cold water and drain.
- In a large bowl, toss pasta with chopped bell pepper, olives, spinach, basil and feta. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil and vinegar. Pour over pasta vegetable mixture and stir to combine. Chill before serving.
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If you love this recipe, you might also like:
Greek Pasta Salad
Broccoli Bowtie Pasta Salad
Ranch BLT Pasta Salad
Who Dished It Up First: I came across this recipe at 33 Shades of Green and couldn’t wait to try it. Thanks Alissa!
Christy
this looks delish..my cousin makes a version similar to this and it is great for picnics and bbqs!
Lisa@BlessedwithGrace
This recipe looks so great for a summer day! Thanks for sharing your recipe and linking to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday.
JessieLeigh
This looks great! I absolutely love orzo… it’s such a fun pasta to work with. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
the country cook
What a pretty side dish! It looks like an excellent accompaniment to a cookout. – http://www.delightfulcountrycookin.com
nancycreative
Oh, this sounds so good and healthy, too!
Kristin
What a beautiful food blog! It’s making me hungry and anxious to get in the kitchen!
Kristin
Cherine
Looks wonderful!
alissa
So glad you liked this! I’m following you now – ALL of your recipes sound delicious!
Alissa
Monica
I made this exactly as posted and it was FANTASTIC!!
rogerafrance
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
Katie
What did I do wrong mine is very dark brown? It seems like the bus sonic vinegar is too strong but I only used half a cup.
Judi
I used 1/2 c bal vinegar and I also thought the vinegar was too strong. I might try this recipe again using very little vinegar and see if the taste is better.