Looking for an orzo recipe idea? Make this fantastic, healthy summer recipe. Our Mediterranean orzo salad is perfect for a picnic, a light lunch, a side dish, or a make-ahead pasta salad for a BBQ.
We show you how to cook orzo perfectly and create a homemade Italian-style garlic and lemon vinaigrette dressing.
This simple orzo salad can be served as it is or cold mixed with fresh salad ingredients. Such as cucumber, olives, sundried tomatoes, pepper and sweetcorn.
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Let us show you how to create the best orzo pasta salad recipe in only 20 minutes.
๐ Step by Step Recipe
Mediterranean Orzo Salad - Cold Pasta
Ingredients
- 250 gram Orzo Pasta
Homemade Italian vinaigrette dressing
- 1 tablespoon Dried Italian Herb Seasoning
- 4 tablespoon Olive Oil - Extra Virgin or virgin is best
- ยฝ Lemon
- 2 teaspoon Garlic Puree - or 3 cloves minced garlic
Salad
- 60 grams Green or/and Black Olives
- ยผ Cucumber
- ยฝ tin Sweetcorn
- 8 Sundried Tomatoes
- 10 Cherry Tomatoes
- 2 Spring Onions (green)
- ยฝ Sweet pepper (bell) - yellow or
- 2 tablespoon Fresh Basil
Optional Italian extras - not vegan friendly
- Mini Mozzarella balls
- Pine nuts
- Cooked Chicken
- Chorizo
Instructions
- Rinse 250 gram Orzo Pasta with cold water to remove excess starch.Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Add the rinsed orzo and a pinch of salt. Bring it back to the boil, cooking for 7-10 minutes.
- While the orzo is cooking, prepare the homemade vinaigrette dressing. Mix together 1 tablespoon Dried Italian Herb Seasoning, 4 tablespoon Olive Oil, 2 teaspoon Garlic Puree and juice from ยฝ Lemon
- Transfer drained orzo to a large bowl, and add the dressing as soon as possible to prevent the orzo pasta from sticking together.Stir through and leave to cool, whilst you prepare the salad.
- Chop all the salad ingredients up into small chunks. 60 grams Green or/and Black Olives, ยผ Cucumber, ยฝ tin Sweetcorn, 8 Sundried Tomatoes, 10 Cherry Tomatoes, 2 Spring Onions (green), ยฝ Sweet pepper (bell), 2 tablespoon Fresh BasilMix these salad items and orzo together.
- Ready to serve or keep covered in the fridge until needed.Optional Italian extras, add your choice of Mini Mozzarella balls,Pine nuts,Cooked Chicken or Chorizo
Video
Nutrition
Our orzo pasta salad recipe was originally published on 03/04/2021. It was modified on 26/05/2024 with a simpler layout to make it easier to get to the recipe card and improved advice.
What is orzo pasta?
Orzo, is a short-cut pasta that looks like a large grain of rice. This small, rice-shaped pasta can be used in many hot or cold recipes.
Originating from Italy, it has found its way into various cuisines around the world, including Greek and Turkish. Its ability to absorb sauces and dressings well enhances its taste.
How to prepare orzo for a salad?
When cooking orzo pasta for salad it is best to rinse the orzo first. This removes excess starches, if you don't the orzo may clump together.
Another tip to stop it from clumping together is to boil the orzo in plenty of water.
How long does it take to cook orzo?
Once boiling, cook for 7-10 minutes. You can taste it to see when it is cooked. You want it to be fairly firm but not hard!
Once it is cooked drain immediately. Add the lemon and garlic olive oil dressing as soon as possible to prevent the orzo from sticking to itself.
How to Make Homemade Italian Vinaigrette
We always make our own fresh dressings. This vinaigrette is easy and quick to make and adds a great Mediterranean flavour to your orzo pasta salad.
Start with a simple mix of dried Italian herbs seasoning. Made from Oregano, Basil, Red Pepper Flakes, Marjoram, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage and Parsley.
You can find it ready-mixed in most shops. If not, why not mix your own Italian seasoning?
Mix together with garlic puree or fresh garlic minced, extra virgin or virgin olive oil, and the juice of half a lemon.
With the Italian dressing added to the orzo, it can be served with a side salad as it is still warm. But we prefer to leave it to cool whilst we prepare the other salad items to add to it.
Salad Ingredients
In this case, we used cucumber, olives, sundried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, sweet yellow pepper, spring onions, sweetcorn and chopped fresh basil.
Of course, you can mix and match with any salad, vegetable or fruit you like?
Mix them all together to make a great rainbow of colour in this healthy orzo dish.
Once the orzo has cooled, mix it with your fresh salad items.
Serving Suggestions
Serve immediately or refrigerate your cold orzo pasta salad until ready to serve.
This recipe as it is, is Vegan & Vegetarian friendly.
Alternative Extras
You can also add more Italian ingredients, such as mini mozzarella cheese balls, or cured meats and pine nuts, to this lemon orzo salad recipe.
Check out our Antipasto Platter Italian Meat and Cheese Board for more Italian ingredients which would complement this dish.
This is the perfect recipe for making ahead and bringing along to family or friend gatherings, buffets, parties, BBQs, or picnics.
Serve it as a main or summer side dish with fish like our Sea Bream with Garlic and Chilli. Alternatively with barbecued meat or poultry like our Zesty Italian Chicken Drumsticks.
Storage
Store any leftovers in the fridge and eat within 2-3 days; makes a great pasta salad for packed lunch!
More Salad Recipes
Check out our Italian Style Rice Salad for another great make-ahead summer party and BBQ salad recipe ideas.
Amy Liu Dong says
The colors, presentation, and the execution of this dish is awesome! You can tell that a lot of care is put in this!
Luke and Kay says
Thank you so much for your lovely review, Amy! We're thrilled to hear that our Mediterranean pasta salad caught your attention and satisfied your taste buds. ๐
Peter says
I love Orzo and this ticks the box for a cold Summer dish using it.
Ideas: replace the Mozzarella with Feta for a Greek version. I also add capers (but then I add capers to lots of things). If you can get Heritage tomatoes you might try those instead of Cherry. If you like a bit of spice, add a finely chopped chilli. I also double the Basil, because I love it.
Kay says
Thank you, Peter, for the comment and rating ๐
Glad you like our Orzo pasta salad; we will have to give it a try with Feta; that sounds delicious; I love feta cheese ๐
maryanne says
This was such a memorable meal! I will be making this again for sure. I particularly loved the sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil. The perfect summer dish!
Anaiah says
This orzo pasta salad was the perfect summer dish! I loved the combination of vegetables you put in. So flavorful and refreshing!
Beth says
Yummy! We loved how tasty and easy this salad was! I can't wait to make this again. The family loved this, such a big hit here!
Biana says
Simple and delicious! Looks like a perfect summer side dish.
Claudia Lamascolo says
What a great side dish, I love the flavors and it goes with every meat we cook!
MEGAN STEVENS says
I've just started eating orzo again after years of grain-free, and this is such a great salad to welcome me back, so to speak. The vinaigrette is lovely, and great for green salads too. I leave off the mozzarella because I can't do cheese right now. Thanks for a great classic with helpful photos.
Sharon says
This was awesome! My orzo came out perfectly and the fresh lemon and basil tasted like a burst of summer. Thanks. ๐
Kay says
Hi Sharon
Thanks for the comment and the great feedback, really glad you liked the orzo salad ๐
Nart at Cooking with Nart says
Happened to have orzo left in my pantry and stumbled on this recipe so I tried it. It was really delicious, you guys! Gotta love the vibrant colors as well. Definitely a keeper!
Luke says
Thank you so much, Nart for that great comment it's much appreciated
Really glad you like the orzo pasta salad:)
Natalie says
Interesting salad. I think I never tried orzo before. I will now because this looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Kay says
Thanks, Natalie
Hope you enjoy our orzo pasta salad:)
Let us know how you get on if you do try this in the future?
Audrey says
This is so good! Perfect for summer.
Kay says
Thanks, Audrey
Yep your right, this is the perfect summer salad ๐
Enjoy!!