Rosamarina Salad

Bright, fresh, and bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors, Rosamarina Salad is a vibrant dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Featuring tender orzo pasta (also known as rosamarina), this colorful salad combines juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, sweet red bell pepper, and tangy feta cheese for a medley of textures and tastes. A zesty lemon-Dijon dressing infused with garlic and olive oil ties everything together, while fresh parsley adds a burst of herbal freshness. Optional kalamata olives bring a briny bite, elevating this dish to new heights. Ready in under 30 minutes, Rosamarina Salad is ideal as a light lunch, satisfying side, or crowd-pleasing potluck dish. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing take on pasta salad!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo (rosamarina) pasta
• 4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cup cucumber (diced)
• 1 red bell pepper (diced)
• 0.5 red onion (finely chopped)
• 0.5 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup optional: kalamata olives (sliced)

Directions

Step 1

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the water.

Step 2

Add the orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions (approximately 8-10 minutes), stirring occasionally, until al dente.

Step 3

Drain the cooked orzo and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set it aside to cool completely.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, feta cheese, parsley, and olives (if using).

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, dijon mustard, minced garlic, black pepper, and an additional pinch of salt to create the dressing.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to combine and evenly coat everything in the dressing.

Step 7

Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Before serving, give the salad a gentle toss and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2069.5 grams (2069.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1772

Total Fat 84.20g	108%
Saturated Fat 26.10g	131%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 107mg	36%
Sodium 4347mg	189%
Total Carbohydrate 203.80g	74%
Dietary Fiber 16.70g	60%
Total Sugars 25.30g
Protein 52.60g	105%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 847mg	65%
Iron 9mg	51%
Potassium 1682mg	36%

*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: 42.5%

Protein: 11.8%

Carbs: 45.7%