Rainbow Orzo Salad Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Rainbow Orzo Salad featuring a medley of colorful vegetables, tangy dressing, and creamy feta cheese. This light and flavorful pasta salad is perfect as a side dish or a light meal, offering a delightful balance of textures and Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Salad
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1/2 orange bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion (optional)
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the orzo pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook it according to the package directions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
- Prepare the dressing: While the pasta cooks, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined. Alternatively, shake all dressing ingredients in a jar until emulsified. Set aside.
- Cool the pasta: Drain the cooked orzo and rinse it under cold water for about one minute to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine salad ingredients: Add the quartered cherry tomatoes, diced orange and yellow bell peppers, diced cucumber, chopped red onion (if using), crumbled feta cheese, and sliced fresh basil to the orzo. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Toss with dressing and season: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and toss again until everything is well coated. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve or store: Serve the salad immediately for fresh flavors or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based alternative.
- Feel free to add other fresh herbs like parsley or mint for added flavor.
- Rinsing the orzo with cold water prevents it from sticking and cooling it helps the salad remain refreshing.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the dressing to your preferred level of sweetness.
Keywords: Rainbow Orzo Salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, vegetarian salad, orzo recipe, summer salad, healthy pasta salad
Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/rainbow-orzo-salad-recipe/
