Easy Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe

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If you need a simple and easy side dish to create for a cookout, dinner party, or meal prep, then you need to make this orzo pasta salad recipe! This easy-to-follow recipe is bursting with flavors and includes fresh herbs, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, marinated artichokes, feta cheese, Italian dressing and more. 

What is Orzo?

Even though Orzo looks like rice, its actually a type of pasta that’s shaped like large grain rice. Orzo pasta is very popular in Italian, Greek and other Middle Eastern / Mediterranean cuisines. Many cultures enjoy cooking with Orzo pasta since it cooks very quickly and absorbs sauces and other flavors effectively. The texture of Orzo is very smooth and is a cross between rice and pasta that is cooked al-dente. Orzo has a very mild flavor, similar to pasta. It is traditionally made using semolina flour or durum wheat.

How to Cook Orzo Pasta

If you know how to cook traditional pasta, then cooking orzo pasta will be very easy for you. To start, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Next, add the orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions, which is usually about 7 to 10 minutes. As orzo pasta cooks, take a moment to stir the orzo occasionally to prevent them from sticking together. Once the orzo is tender, but still slightly firm (al dente), drain it using a fine-mesh strainer since the small grains can slip through a regular colander with larger holes.

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Top Brands for Authentic Italian Orzo Pasta

I am all about using quality ingredients. From all of the orzo pasta dishes I’ve made in the past, these are my top 3 best Orzo pasta brands (in no particular order):

If you’re not set on finding a 100% authentic Italian brand, then I recommend using Barilla’s Orzo pasta, which can be widely found in most grocery stores.

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Cooking Tips for Orzo Pasta Salad

• Start with Generously Salted Water – As with most pasta dishes, generously salting boiling water will help season the orzo pasta from the inside out, which can only enhance the flavors of your dish. 
• Take Care to Not Overcook Your Orzo – Orzo pasta can cook very quickly. I recommend cooking this pasta until it is firm to the bite (which is called “al-dente” in cooking terms). This should take 7-10 minutes for store-bought orzo. 

• Dress Orzo While It’s Still Warm – As with most of my pasta dishes, I recommend adding seasoning and dressing while the pasta is still warm. Pastas can absorb flavors with ease when they are warm. 
• ALWAYS Use Fresh Ingredients – As tempting as it may be, please use fresh veggies, fresh herbs and more in this dish as described in the recipe.

• Allow Orzo Pasta Salad to Rest – For optimal results, this is a great make-ahead dish that should rest for 24 hours. If you are short on time, I recommend allowing this pasta salad to rest for 1-2 hours before serving to balance out flavors. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1.5 cups dried orzo pasta
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes (I used heirloom grape tomatoes to add color variety)
• 1 cucumber, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 2 oz black olives, pitted, sliced, drained
• 3 oz marinated artichoke hearts, drained
• 1/2 cup feta cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 Lemon, juiced
• 1/2 tsp Lemon Pepper Seasoning
• 1 tsp herbs de Provence 
• 1/2 cup Italian dressing (Ken’s is my recommendation)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Orzo Pasta Salad Serving Suggestions

This orzo salad recipe is a perfect side dish in warmer months for brunches, lunches, and cookouts. Below are some other dishes I recommend pairing this recipe with for spring or summer:

• Savory Grilled Lobster Tails – See recipe here.
• Easy Pan Seared Lamb Chops – See recipe here.
• Grilled Balsamic Vegetables – See recipe here.
• Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken – See recipe here.
• Watermelon Lemonade – See recipe here.

Storage Tips For Orzo Pasta Salad:

• Refrigeration – Orzo pasta salad should be stored in an airtight container. It can last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator before losing freshness.
• Freezing – I do not recommend freezing this dish. I tried this one time and learned orzo pasta salad does not freeze very well. 🙂 Veggies become mushy and the dish loses its overall flavor. 
• Next Day Serving – If your orzo pasta salad appears dry or stiff after storing in the refrigerator, you can simply refresh this dish by tossing it and adding a few dashes of Italian salad dressing. 

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Save and Share Your Photos!

This orzo salad isn’t just delicious, it’s pretty, too! Whether you’re packing it for a weekly meal prep, serving it at brunch, or bringing it to a BBQ, it’s a side that brings both color and flavor to the table! Save this recipe on Pinterest, share it with your favorite foodie friend, or tag me on Instagram @elicitfolio if you try it, I’d love to see your version!

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