Mediterranean Orzo Salad

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

Oh my goodness, I’ve discovered the proper facet salad for summer time 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 truly does a superb 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 do-it-yourself dressing this salad is jam-packed with taste!
• Versatile – Take pleasure in this salad as a lightweight lunch, topped with protein for dinner or deliver it to your subsequent potluck or summer time cookout. Everybody will find it irresistible!
• Filling and refreshing – The orzo and beans make this salad filling whereas the recent veggies add a refreshing crunch.

Substances Wanted

• orzo pasta – orzo seems type of like rice, but it surely’s truly pasta! It’s created from wheat so steer clear if in case you have a gluten intolerance or allergy. I like to purchase complete wheat orzo as a result of it comprises extra fiber than common, however common orzo works completely for this recipe.
• child spinach – child spinach has a gentle 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 – ensure you’re shopping for pitted olives so you possibly can simply chop them up.
• cannellini beans – the proper ingredient so as to add bulk protein. I used canned cannellini beans however you possibly can prepare dinner your individual in order for you. Be happy to swap the cannellini beans with chickpeas or one other white bean of alternative.
• dried oregano, salt and black pepper – to actually deliver all of the flavors collectively!
• feta cheese – this provides such a superb taste to the salad so I wouldn’t suggest omitting it. If wanted you need to use a vegan feta.
• balsamic dressing – an excellent easy dressing made with balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, dijon mustard, garlic, sea salt, and olive oil.

Learn how 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 the right way to make it:

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

Step 2: Make the dressing by mixing or whisking all of the components 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. Take pleasure in!

Serving Options

Truthfully, this mediterranean orzo salad pairs properly with absolutely anything! It’s scrumptious by itself as a facet or topped with protein, but it surely’s additionally the proper facet for summer time cookouts and potlucks. Listed below are some pairing concepts:

Learn how to Retailer Leftovers

To make it upfront: You’ll be able to 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 try the complete assortment of salad recipes on EBF!