Description
Easy Orzo Pasta Salad is a light and refreshing dish that’s perfect for any occasion, from summer picnics to family dinners. With tender orzo pasta, vibrant vegetables, and a zesty lemon Dijon dressing, this salad offers a delightful burst of flavors in every bite. Quick to prepare and easy to customize with seasonal ingredients, it’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights or gatherings. Serve it warm as a main dish or chilled as a side at your next barbecue—this versatile salad is sure to impress everyone at the table!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups dried orzo pasta
- 1 medium English cucumber, diced
- 1 large tomato (or 8 ounces halved cherry tomatoes), diced
- ½ cup coarsely chopped fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, or mint)
- ½ cup pitted olives, halved
- 1 cup canned artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 2 to 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the orzo in salted boiling water according to package instructions until tender (6-10 minutes). Drain well.
- In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Add the warm drained orzo to the dressing and mix well; let sit for about 5 minutes.
- Incorporate diced cucumber, tomato, fresh herbs, olives, and artichokes into the bowl. Toss gently until combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve warm or refrigerate for an hour before serving for a chilled option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg