Orzo Salad with Spinach and Feta

Brighten up your table with this vibrant and Mediterranean-inspired Orzo Salad with Spinach and Feta! Bursting with fresh, wholesome ingredients like tender orzo pasta, crisp spinach, juicy cherry tomatoes, and briny kalamata olives, this dish is elevated by the tangy creaminess of feta cheese and a zesty lemon-garlic dressing. Perfect as a light lunch, a crowd-pleasing side dish, or a refreshing make-ahead option for picnics and potlucks, this salad is as versatile as it is delicious. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s a quick and nutrient-packed choice that tastes great served chilled or at room temperature. With flavors of oregano and parsley tying it all together, this orzo salad is a healthy, easy-to-make recipe that transports you straight to the Mediterranean.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 4 cups fresh spinach
• 3 ounces feta cheese
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 0.25 cup red onion
• 0.5 cup kalamata olives
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and let it cool slightly.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until well combined.

Step 3

Chop the spinach into bite-sized pieces, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and roughly chop the kalamata olives. Crumble the feta cheese if it’s not pre-crumbled.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, spinach, cherry tomatoes, red onion, olives, and feta cheese.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring the dressing evenly coats all ingredients.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 7

Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Step 8

Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	796.4 grams (796.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1689

Total Fat 94.50g	121%
Saturated Fat 21.10g	106%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.50g
Cholesterol 76mg	25%
Sodium 3682mg	160%
Total Carbohydrate 178.80g	65%
Dietary Fiber 24.40g	87%
Total Sugars 10.00g
Protein 42.30g	85%

Vitamin D 14IU	68%
Calcium 739mg	57%
Iron 17mg	93%
Potassium 587mg	12%

*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: 49.0%

Protein: 9.8%

Carbs: 41.2%