Greek Orzo

Bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this Greek Orzo Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish perfect for any occasion. Tender orzo pasta is paired with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, briny Kalamata olives, and tangy red onion, all brought together by a zesty homemade dressing featuring lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, and a hint of oregano. Crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley add layers of creamy and herbaceous notes, making this dish as flavorful as it is colorful. Ready in just 25 minutes, this Mediterranean-inspired recipe is ideal as a light main course, side dish, or meal-prep favorite. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a true taste of the Greek Isles!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups orzo pasta
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 0.5 cup kalamata olives
• 0.75 cup feta cheese
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 clove garlic
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups water

Directions

Step 1

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized pot. Add a pinch of salt and the orzo pasta. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2

While the orzo cooks, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and halve or slice the kalamata olives.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and kalamata olives.

Step 5

Crumble the feta cheese and finely chop the parsley. Add both to the mixing bowl.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the orzo mixture and gently toss to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to your preference.

Step 8

Transfer to a serving dish or individual plates. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Enjoy your Greek Orzo as a side dish or a light main course!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2021.7 grams (2021.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2136

Total Fat 101.00g	129%
Saturated Fat 24.50g	123%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.70g
Cholesterol 100mg	33%
Sodium 3943mg	171%
Total Carbohydrate 261.70g	95%
Dietary Fiber 28.60g	102%
Total Sugars 16.70g
Protein 57.70g	115%

Vitamin D 18IU	90%
Calcium 887mg	68%
Iron 18mg	99%
Potassium 1022mg	22%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.6%

Protein: 10.6%

Carbs: 47.9%