I’ve been dreaming of this orzo salad ever since a buddy made a model of this for me almost 15 years in the past. It’s the form of salad you’ll need to meal prep typically, as a result of you may eat it straight from the fridge for lunch, and it’s straightforward to alter the veggies and protein you employ every time.
I initially examined this with a Greek-inspired dressing, utilizing crimson wine vinegar and oregano. It was advantageous, however I knew it might be higher. After just a few extra rounds of testing, I fell in love with this zippy lemon dressing, accompanied by loads of contemporary herbs.
The mixture is downright irresistible!
Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad Elements
- Orzo Pasta. This pasta resembles rice, and when you can definitely use rice or quinoa as alternate options, the sort of pasta has a stunning mouthfeel. (It’s not naturally gluten-free, however you should buy a gluten-free model if wanted.)
- Recent Lemon. The juice and zest of a big lemon make this salad style brilliant and flavorful.
- Olive Oil. This completes the salad dressing, however you don’t want a lot!
- Recent Veggies. Diced cucumber, crimson onion, and cherry tomatoes add colourful, crunchy bites all through this salad.
- Herbs. Recent dill is a should, and when you’ve got basil readily available, I like the mixture of the 2 on this dish.
- Feta. Crumbled feta provides a creamy, salty burst all through the salad. You possibly can omit this in the event you want a dairy-free choice, however I like the additional taste it provides.
I’ve additionally made this salad with a drained can of chickpeas for extra oomph. If you wish to make it as a meal prep lunch, I extremely suggest including these beans!
Methods to Make Orzo Salad
Step 1:
Put together the orzo pasta in keeping with the package deal instructions. When it’s tender, drain it and set it apart to chill. Because you’re including the orzo to a chilly dish, you may rinse it below working water to assist it quiet down quicker and take away extra starch. (This prevents stickiness.)
When you anticipate the pasta to prepare dinner, add the olive oil, lemon juice, zest, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to a big bowl and stir effectively.
Step 2:
Subsequent, add the diced crimson onion, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and contemporary herbs. Stir effectively to coat the veggies within the dressing. Then add the marginally cooled orzo pasta and feta, if utilizing, and stir once more.
Style the salad after stirring all of it collectively and season with extra salt and pepper to style, if wanted. The salad will mellow in taste because it marinates, so in the event you place it within the fridge to relax earlier than serving, make sure to style it once more later—you could need to add an additional squeeze of lemon or salt at that time.
Serving Suggestions
Orzo salad may be served chilled, straight from the fridge, or at room temperature. For added protein, you may high it with sauteed shrimp, baked tofu, baked salmon, or sliced baked rooster breasts.
It’s additionally great when tossed with chickpeas for extra plant-based protein and fiber.
- 1 cup orzo pasta (gluten-free, if wanted)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons contemporary lemon juice , plus the lemon zest
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 1 teaspoon advantageous sea salt
- ½ teaspoon floor black pepper
- ½ crimson onion , diced
- 1 cucumber , diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes , quartered
- ¼ cup contemporary dill (plus contemporary basil, when you’ve got it)
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
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Prepare dinner the orzo in keeping with the package deal instructions. When you anticipate that prepare dinner, add the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to a big bowl and stir effectively.
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Add the diced crimson onion, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and freshly chopped herbs to the bowl of dressing and stir effectively. When the pasta is finished cooking, drain it and rinse it below working water to assist it quiet down quicker. Add the drained pasta to the bowl of veggies and stir once more.
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Subsequent, add the feta cheese and stir till effectively mixed. Style the salad and regulate the seasoning, if wanted. You possibly can add extra salt or black pepper to spice up the flavour. This salad is able to serve immediately, or you may switch it to the fridge to relax earlier than serving.
Temperature Observe: Remember to style this salad earlier than serving it after it has been saved within the fridge. Chilly meals has a milder taste than meals served at room temperature, so you could want so as to add an additional squeeze of lemon or a pinch of salt to assist improve the flavour when it’s chilled.
Energy: 322kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 9g | Fats: 15g | Saturated Fats: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 9g | Ldl cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 813mg | Potassium: 493mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 714IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 2mg
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