Orzo Pasta Salad

There’s a secret to making our 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, we encourage you to also add orange zest to this dish. Whenever we serve this salad, we're bombarded with questions on how to make it. Now that you know our secret, please give it a try this summer when you’re hosting or bring it along to a summer BBQ. We promise this salad will be the first to disappear from the table.

What stands out

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.

Kitchen tip

The boiling water should be as salty as the sea as it’s your only chance to flavor the orzo.

Swaps

1. You can use any small pasta shape, pastina, tortellini, or even couscous for this recipe.
2. Feel free to add a protein to this Orzo Pasta Salad such as grilled chicken breast pieces, tofu or shrimp.
3. For a higher-protein alternative to orzo, this salad will work beautifully with quinoa too.
4. Play with the herbs in this dish and try basil, thyme or mint instead of parsley.
5. Make this salad gluten-free by using your favorite gluten-free pasta instead.

Serve it 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 our Italian Chopped Sandwich or Ham and Cheese Sandwiches.

Questions

Can this salad be made ahead?

Yes, this Orzo Pasta Salad holds up well in the fridge for up to 2 days and is best when served at room temperature.

what can we use instead of orzo?

You can use any small pasta shape, pastina, tortellini, or even couscous or quinoa for this recipe.

What can we use instead of parsley?

Use any of your favorite herbs in this Orzo Pasta Salad, such as basil, thyme, and mint.

can we add protein to this salad?

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.

can we make this salad gluten-free?

Feel free to use your favorite gluten-free pasta here instead.

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

• 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

Equipment

• Nakiri Knife
• Cutting Board
• Medium Pot
• Mixing Bowls
• Liquid Measuring Cup
• Measuring Cups + Spoons
• Redmond Real Salt
• strainer

Method

1. Boil the orzo pasta in boiling salted water as per the package directions.
2. 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.
3. Enjoy!