Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

Greek Orzo Pasta Salad is tender orzo pasta packed with fresh vegetables, kalamata olives and feta cheese, tossed in a homemade Greek dressing!

**This recipe was originally published in February 2013.  The text is more informative, and I’ve included step by step instructions and photos. 

It’s officially pasta salad season!  My Italian pasta salad and summer succotash pasta salad are recipes that I love to prepare every summer, but this Greek Orzo Pasta Salad is a family favorite! 

I’ve been making this recipe for years, and my nieces have told me that I have to bring it to every family gathering.

They’re never going to get any arguments from me. 🙂

Why you’ll love this Greek orzo salad recipe

• The orzo pasta makes this a unique pasta salad.  It’s lighter than most pasta salads, and it’s packed with fresh, zesty Greek flavors.
• The salad is extremely easy to make, and it may be prepped a few hours in advance.
• It’s a great side dish for chicken, beef or pork, and also makes a great vegetarian lunch.
• Orzo may be subbed for whole wheat or gluten-free orzo, or your favorite type of pasta.
• I use my homemade dressing for this orzo Greek salad, but store bought may also be used.

Greek orzo salad ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Orzo pasta
• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Bell pepper
• Feta cheese
• Kalamata olives
• Red onion
• Fresh oregano (or dried in a pinch)
• Greek salad dressing (or store bought)

What is orzo?

Orzo is short-cut pasta that resembles rice.  It is made with either white or whole wheat flour, and there are even gluten-free varieties on the market.

How to make Greek orzo pasta salad

This Greek orzo salad is extremely easy to make, and comes together in under 30 minutes.

Cook the orzo pasta and prep your ingredients

• Cook the orzo according to package instructions, then place in a colander and rinse with cold water.  Drain well.
• Chop the vegetables and make the dressing while the orzo cooks and drains.  The dressing may be made ahead a few days in advance.

Assemble the Greek orzo salad

• Place the orzo pasta in a large bowl.  
• Add the remaining ingredients, and toss with the desired amount of dressing until well coated.

Recipe Notes

• Roasted bell peppers work well in this pasta salad!
• Dressing may be made up to a few days in advance.
• The pasta salad may be made a few hours in advance, but the orzo will absorb the dressing. Simply toss with 1/3 cup or so of dressing, and add more just before serving.
• Orzo may be substituted with your favorite gluten-free or regular pasta.
• The homemade Greek dressing may be substituted with store bought.

More Greek recipes you’ll love:

Avgolemono Soup

Chicken Avgolemono 

Greek Leg of Lamb by Recipe Tin Eats

Greek Panzanella

Horiatiki

Tzatziki

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Yield: 8 servings

Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

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Greek Orzo Pasta Salad is fresh, tasty Greek orzo salad packed with fresh veggies, feta cheese and tossed in a homemade Greek dressing!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry orzo pasta
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 tablespoons freshly chopped oregano (or 2 teaspoons dried)
• Greek Salad Dressing

Instructions

1. Cook the orzo according to package directions. Place in a colander and rinse under cold water and drain well.
2. Place the orzo in a large bowl. Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, feta cheese, kalamata olives, red onion and chopped oregano, then toss with the desired amount of Greek dressing until well coated.
3. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

• Roasted bell peppers work well in this pasta salad!
• Dressing may be made up to a few days in advance.
• The pasta salad may be made a few hours in advance, but the orzo will absorb the dressing. Simply toss with 1/3 cup or so of dressing, and add more just before serving.
• Orzo may be substituted with your favorite gluten-free or regular pasta.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 195Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 233mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 7g

Nutrition information is mean to be an estimate only. The numbers will vary based on the quantity consumed, brands used and substitutions that are made.

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