Mediterranean Orzo Salad

This wholesome mediterranean orzo salad is loaded with sun-dried tomatoes, cucumber, olives and feta cheese. It’s contemporary, simple and the proper make-ahead recipe for a lightweight meal or summer season potluck.

Oh my goodness, I’ve discovered the proper aspect salad for summer season cookouts, barbecues or yard dinners. It’s a hearty, wholesome mediterranean orzo salad with cannellini beans, olives, feta and sun-dried tomatoes.

I like the truth that it’s tremendous flavorful and scrumptious, but in addition loaded with nutrient-rich toppings. Most pasta salads aren’t the healthiest, however this salad really does job of packing a ton of vitamin into one dish!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Filled with taste – Between the solar dried tomatoes, feta cheese, olives and selfmade dressing this salad is jam-packed with taste!
• Versatile – Get pleasure from this salad as a lightweight lunch, topped with protein for dinner or convey it to your subsequent potluck or summer season cookout. Everybody will find it irresistible!
• Filling and refreshing – The orzo and beans make this salad filling whereas the contemporary veggies add a refreshing crunch.

Components Wanted

• orzo pasta – orzo appears sort of like rice, however it’s really pasta! It’s made out of wheat so steer clear when you have a gluten intolerance or allergy. I like to purchase entire wheat orzo as a result of it incorporates extra fiber than common, however common orzo works completely for this recipe.
• child spinach – child spinach has a light taste and texture that works completely on this orzo salad.
• sun-dried tomatoes – these are a should! They add a ton of taste.
• cucumber – for some added crunch.
• Kalamata olives – be sure you’re shopping for pitted olives so you’ll be able to simply chop them up.
• cannellini beans – the proper ingredient so as to add bulk protein. I used canned cannellini beans however you’ll be able to cook dinner your individual if you’d like. Be happy to swap the cannellini beans with chickpeas or one other white bean of selection.
• dried oregano, salt and black pepper – to actually convey all of the flavors collectively!
• feta cheese – this provides such taste to the salad so I wouldn’t suggest omitting it. If wanted you should use a vegan feta.
• balsamic dressing – a brilliant easy dressing made with balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, dijon mustard, garlic, sea salt, and olive oil.

Easy methods to Make Mediterranean Orzo Salad

As soon as your orzo is cooked and veggies are chopped this salad comes collectively in a matter of minutes. Right here’s methods to make it:

Step 1: Boil water in a saucepan and cook dinner orzo for 8-10 minutes till tender. Drain, rinse below chilly water to chill, then drain effectively and switch to a big bowl.

Step 2: Make the dressing by mixing or whisking all of the elements collectively till clean.

Step 3: To the orzo, add spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, beans and oregano. Toss to combine. Pour half of the dressing over the salad, toss, then add extra to style. Season with sea salt and black pepper.

Step 4: Serve the salad at room temperature, topped with feta cheese. Get pleasure from!

Serving Options

Actually, this mediterranean orzo salad pairs effectively with absolutely anything! It’s scrumptious by itself as a aspect or topped with protein, however it’s additionally the proper aspect for summer season cookouts and potlucks. Listed below are some pairing concepts:

Easy methods to Retailer Leftovers

To make it prematurely: You may prep the salad the evening earlier than and let it chill within the fridge till serving. I like to recommend serving at room temperature.

To retailer leftovers: Retailer any leftovers in an hermetic container for 3-4 days within the fridge.

Extra Salads Recipes

You’ll want to take a look at the complete assortment of salad recipes on EBF!