Minted Orzo and Zucchini Salad

Bright, refreshing, and packed with Mediterranean-inspired flavors, this Minted Orzo and Zucchini Salad is the perfect dish to elevate your summer meals. Featuring tender orzo pasta, sautéed zucchini, and a tangy lemon dressing, this recipe is bursting with fresh ingredients like fragrant mint, parsley, and creamy feta cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s ideal for a light lunch, a picnic side dish, or as part of a dinner spread. The combination of lemon zest and garlic-infused olive oil ties everything together, delivering a dish that’s as vibrant as it is delicious. Serve it chilled or at room temperature, and don’t forget the extra sprinkle of mint for a fragrant finishing touch.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 medium zucchini
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 0.5 cup fresh mint leaves
• 0.25 cup parsley
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 0.5 cup feta cheese
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2

While the orzo is cooking, wash and trim the ends off the zucchini. Cut the zucchini into small half-moons, about 1/4 inch thick.

Step 3

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the zucchini and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but slightly crisp. Remove from heat and let cool.

Step 4

Finely chop the fresh mint leaves and parsley. Zest one lemon, then juice it to yield approximately 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 6

Add the cooled zucchini, chopped mint, parsley, and crumbled feta cheese to the bowl with the orzo. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until well combined.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 8

Garnish with additional mint leaves before serving, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	889.1 grams (889.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1506

Total Fat 62.80g	81%
Saturated Fat 15.90g	80%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.80g
Cholesterol 67mg	22%
Sodium 5786mg	252%
Total Carbohydrate 205.30g	75%
Dietary Fiber 25.10g	90%
Total Sugars 38.00g
Protein 46.90g	94%

Vitamin D 12IU	60%
Calcium 880mg	68%
Iron 21mg	118%
Potassium 1836mg	39%

*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: 35.9%

Protein: 11.9%

Carbs: 52.2%