Description
This Easy Orzo Pasta Salad is a delightful and versatile dish, perfect for any gathering or a light meal. Featuring tender orzo pasta tossed with vibrant fresh vegetables like cucumbers and tomatoes, along with flavorful olives and artichokes, this salad is dressed with a zesty lemon Dijon dressing that adds brightness to each bite. It’s quick to prepare in just 20 minutes and can be served warm or chilled, making it an excellent choice for meal prep or potlucks. Packed with wholesome ingredients and customizable to your taste, this salad is not only delicious but also nutritious, ensuring it will be a hit at any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups dried orzo pasta
- 1 medium English cucumber, diced
- 1 large tomato, diced or 8 ounces halved cherry tomatoes
- 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 one lemon and juice from one lemon (2 to 4 tablespoons)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the orzo in salted boiling water according to package directions until tender (6 to 10 minutes). Drain well.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper.
- Add the warm drained orzo to the dressing and mix well. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to absorb flavors.
- Stir in diced cucumber, tomato, fresh herbs, olives, and artichokes until fully combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve immediately warm or chill in the refrigerator for about an hour before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg