• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ahead of Thyme logo

  • Home
  • About
    • About Me
    • Work With Us
    • Press
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • Food Blogger Business School
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Salad » Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad

    Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad

    7 Comments

    4K Shares
    Pin4K
    Yum38
    Share
    Tweet4
    More
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    This summer has been all about the Mediterranean vibes. There is just something about the bright and vibrant vegetables, the lemony and olive oil flavours and all the fresh herbs, that screams summer. This quick and easy Mediterranean orzo pasta salad does not disappoint. It's packed with fresh tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, and olives all tossed in a lemon vinaigrette and packed with herbs. It's super easy to make, healthy and light, and so delicious.

    Quick and easy Mediterranean orzo pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables and herbs is tossed in a Greek lemon vinaigrette. Healthy, light and delicious. | aheadofthyme.com

    What is Orzo?

    Orzo is a tiny rice-shaped pasta that is easily confused with rice since it looks a lot like it. It's a quick-cooking pasta that can be thrown into so many recipes. Plus, a little goes a long way so it's not as filling as a big plate of pasta. For example, you can throw it into a salad or soup, add it into rice pilaf, or use it a replacement in any pasta dish that you want to make.

    What is in Mediterranean Orzo Salad?

    To give you an idea of what Mediterranean orzo salad is like, it is very similar to a Greek salad as it has all the same ingredients and dressing, except with the addition of orzo. Here is exactly what you will need to make this salad (full quantities in recipe card below):

    • orzo pasta
    • grape tomatoes - You can substitute with cherry tomatoes, or even roma tomatoes diced into small pieces.
    • mini cucumbers - I like the small slices you get from mini cucumbers. You can substitute with other types of cucumbers. Just quarter them and then slice.
    • red onion
    • Kalamata olives - pitted and halved.
    • feta cheese - I cut my feta into small cubes but to save time, you can crumble as well.
    • fresh dill - fresh herbs adds a nice depth of flavour to this salad. Fresh parsley also is really nice in this salad, or even a combination of the two works well.
    • lemon vinaigrette dressing - made with olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt and pepper. This dressing is essentially the same as what I put into my Greek salad. So delicious.

    You can also add in some extra protein to make it a full meal. Try some grilled souvlaki chicken or grilled salmon on top or toss in some chickpeas.

    To make this salad, you will also need measuring cups and spoons, a cooking pot, a colander, and mixing bowls.

    Quick and easy Mediterranean orzo pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables and herbs is tossed in a Greek lemon vinaigrette. Healthy, light and delicious. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make the Best Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad

    First, you want to cook the orzo pasta. Just like any other type of pasta, cook the orzo in a pot of boiling water until al dente, about 10 minutes, or according to package instructions. Then, drain in a colander and run it under cold water. Set it aside to cool down.

    In a large bowl, combine cooled orzo, tomato, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta, and dill. In a small bowl, mix together the dressing (add olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper). Pour the dressing on top of the salad and toss to combine.

    Quick and easy Mediterranean orzo pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables and herbs is tossed in a Greek lemon vinaigrette. Healthy, light and delicious. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Serve Mediterranean Orzo Salad

    Serve this salad with some grilled souvlaki skewers such as chicken souvlaki skewers, lamb souvlaki skewers or souvlaki beef shish kebabs. Don't forget the homemade tzatziki sauce and Greek pita bread.

    Quick and easy Mediterranean orzo pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables and herbs is tossed in a Greek lemon vinaigrette. Healthy, light and delicious. | aheadofthyme.com

    Tips for Making Orzo Salad

    • How to store orzo pasta salad. This recipe makes a big salad, so you may have some leftovers. You can store orzo salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up 4 days. You can store it together with the dressing or separately.
    • Add orzo salad to your meal prep menu. The great thing about this orzo salad is that it makes for some awesome leftovers that you can store in your fridge and eat throughout the week. Which also means, it's the perfect item to meal prep.
    Quick and easy Mediterranean orzo pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables and herbs is tossed in a Greek lemon vinaigrette. Healthy, light and delicious. | aheadofthyme.com

    More Salad Recipes

    • The Perfect Greek Salad
    • Mediterranean Brown Rice Salad
    • Persian Shirazi Salad with Cucumber and Tomato
    • Mediterranean Chickpea Wedge Salad with Hummus Dressing
    • Summer Corn Salad

    Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

    Don't forget to sign up for my email newsletter so that you don't miss any recipes. You can also follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more recipe updates.

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Quick and easy Mediterranean orzo pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables and herbs is tossed in a Greek lemon vinaigrette. Healthy, light and delicious. | aheadofthyme.com

    Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad


    ★★★★★

    5 from 4 reviews

    • Author: Sam | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 25 minutes
    • Yield: 6-8 servings
    • Diet: Vegetarian
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Quick and easy Mediterranean orzo pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables and herbs is tossed in a Greek lemon vinaigrette. It's healthy, light and delicious.


    Ingredients

    • 1 cup dry orzo pasta
    • 1 + ½ cups grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes), halved (about 20 grape tomatoes)
    • 1 + ½ cups mini cucumbers, halved and sliced (3 mini cucumbers)
    • ½ cup red onion, finely diced
    • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
    • ½ cup feta cheese, cubed or crumbled
    • 1 tablespoon fresh dill (or parsley), chopped

    For the dressing:

    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)

    Instructions

    1. Cook orzo pasta in a pot of boiling water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, or according to package instructions. Drain in a colander and run it under cold water. Set aside to cool.
    2. In a large bowl, combine cooled orzo, tomato, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta, and dill.
    3. In a small bowl, mix together the dressing (add olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper). Stir to mix well.
    4. Pour dressing over top of the salad and toss to combine.

    Notes

    Equipment used: Measuring cups and spoons, cooking pot, colander, and mixing bowls.

    How to serve this orzo salad: Serve this salad with some grilled souvlaki skewers such as chicken souvlaki skewers, lamb souvlaki skewers or souvlaki beef shish kebabs. Don't forget the homemade tzatziki sauce and Greek pita bread.

    How to store orzo pasta salad: This recipe makes a big salad, so you may have some leftovers. You can store orzo salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up 4 days. You can store it together with the dressing or separately.

    How to meal prep with this orzo salad: The great thing about this orzo salad is that it makes for some awesome leftovers that you can store in your fridge and eat throughout the week. Which also means, it's the perfect item to meal prep.

    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Category: Salad
    • Method: Tossed
    • Cuisine: Greek

    Keywords: mediterranean orzo pasta salad, mediterranean salad with orzo, orzo salad, greek salad with orzo, mediterranean orzo salad

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    Quick and easy Mediterranean orzo pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables and herbs is tossed in a Greek lemon vinaigrette. Healthy, light and delicious. | aheadofthyme.com
    Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad
    4K Shares
    Pin4K
    Yum38
    Share
    Tweet4
    More
    « Crispy Bottom Pan-Fried Vegetable Buns (No Yeast)
    Small Batch Garlic Naan Bread »

    Stay Updated

    Subscribe now to receive all the latest recipes, tips and news directly to your inbox.
    * indicates required
    How often would you like to receive recipe updates

    Food Blogger Business School | foodbloggerbusinessschool.com

    Food Blogger Business School

    A step-by-step program that teaches food bloggers how to grow and scale their blogs into a full-time business

    in less time and without posting endless content until you burn out.

    LEARN MORE

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Shannon says

      October 25, 2022 at 3:42 pm

      I made this salad for my sister and myself. She loves loves loves it, she has me make this regularly. She has taken a big bowl (I doubled the recipe) to work and shared it with coworkers. Now they're hooked. I sent copies of this recipe along with the salad. A surefire hit, and so easy!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Kayla says

      September 13, 2022 at 6:22 pm

      This recipe is amazing and we make it all the time.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Lucy says

      May 30, 2022 at 12:16 am

      We had family over for dinner tonight and I tried out this recipe as the side for lemon pepper chicken. My goodness, everyone loved the salad more than anything else. Like my husband said, the real star of the show was the salad!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. GUNJAN C Dudani says

      August 14, 2020 at 6:39 am

      I am so intrigued with orzo salad. I tried orzo salad few years back in whole foods and since then I have been looking for a great recipe. Glad I found yours. Totally love it and we finished it within minutes.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Sam | Ahead of Thyme says

        August 20, 2020 at 11:17 pm

        Wow that makes me so happy to hear! This salad is easy to make and even easier to finish. 😛

        Reply
    5. veenaazmanov says

      August 14, 2020 at 5:43 am

      This Salad is surely Healthy,crunchy and tangy too. So colorful and best to have it at the Dinner Table. Good option for a light Dinner.

      Reply
      • Sam | Ahead of Thyme says

        August 20, 2020 at 11:16 pm

        Thank you! It's definitely a keeper.

        Reply

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome!

    Quick and easy recipes for the everyday home cook, using fresh, seasonal and wholesome ingredients -- from healthy meals to take-out to comfort foods. | aheadofthyme.com

    Hi, we're Sam and Dan! We like to help busy people eat real food that tastes good. Here, you can find hundreds of delicious, quick and easy recipes, using quality and wholesome ingredients. Read more about us

    Stay Updated

    Subscribe now to receive all the latest recipes, tips and news directly to your inbox.
    * indicates required
    How often would you like to receive recipe updates

    Food Blogger Business School | foodbloggerbusinessschool.com

    Food Blogger Business School

    A step-by-step program that teaches food bloggers how to grow and scale their blogs into a full-time business

    in less time and without posting endless content until you burn out.

    LEARN MORE

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About Ahead of Thyme

    Hello and welcome! I'm Sam -- the founder of Ahead of Thyme, where we help busy people eat real food that tastes good. Here, you will find hundreds of delicious, quick and easy recipes, using quality and wholesome ingredients. So stay a while, browse around, and make something tasty for dinner tonight.

    • RSS Feed
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Work with Us
    • Shop
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • Food Blogger Business School
    • Newsletter

    Browse

    • 60+ Easy Dinners
    • 60+ Chicken Recipes
    • 25+ Ground Beef Recipes
    • 40+ Pasta Recipes
    • 50+ Bread Recipes
    • 25+ Air Fryer Recipes
    • Dessert

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

    Copyright © 2021 Ahead of Thyme Incorporated