This Greek Pasta Salad is a fresh and colorful dish that’s perfect for warm-weather meals, potlucks, picnics, and easy weeknight lunches. Soft orzo pasta, crunchy cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, protein-rich chickpeas, and salty feta cheese combine to make each bite bright, satisfying, and full of Mediterranean flavor.
this Greek Orzo Pasta Salad A fresh, nutritious, family-friendly recipe for almost any occasion. Simple ingredients, bold Mediterranean flavors, and great make-ahead possibilities make this a dish you’ll want to eat again and again on a regular basis.
Tossed with a simple homemade vinaigrette of olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and Italian seasoning, this salad is light and filling. This is a great make-ahead option that actually tastes better when it sits. Meal prep, school lunches, busy family schedules.
Tips for the Best Greek Orzo Pasta Salad:
- Rinse the orzo: Rinsing the pasta after it has cooled will stop the cooking process and prevent the pasta from sticking together.
- Pound dry the chickpeas: This will help the dressing stick better and prevent excess moisture.
- Finely chop the herbs: Fresh herbs add flavor without overpowering the salad.
- Mix before serving: The dressing may settle. Toss quickly before serving.
- Prepare in advance: This salad tastes even better if you leave it in the refrigerator for a few hours.
Substitutions and Variations:
- Gluten Free: Swap the orzo for gluten-free orzo or short gluten-free pasta.
- Dairy Free: Omit the feta and Parmesan cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
- Add protein: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon for a heartier meal.
- Other beans: White beans or lentils work well instead of chickpeas.
- Additional Vegetables: Add red onion, green pepper, Kalamata olives, or spinach.
- Lemon Twist: Make it even brighter by replacing half of the vinegar with fresh lemon juice.
Serving suggestions:
This Greek Orzo Pasta Salad is incredibly versatile. Please provide it:
- as side dish With grilled chicken or fish
- as main dish For lunch or light dinner
- With pita bread and hummus
- As part of Picnic or potluck spread
- packaging meal prep containers for a week
The mild flavor and small pasta shape make it a good choice for kids, too.
Storage and prep tips:
- Refrigerated storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 hour. 5 days.
- Refresh before serving. If necessary, add a drop of olive oil or a drop of vinegar.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Divide into individual containers for takeout lunch boxes.
More delicious pasta salad recipes:
Greek Pasta Salad
This Greek pasta salad is bright, satisfying, and full of Mediterranean flavor. This recipe is fresh, nutritious and family friendly!
Serving Size: 6
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until al dentefor 7-8 minutes.Drain the pasta and rinse in cold water until completely cool.
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Transfer the cooled orzo to a large serving bowl and set aside. While the pasta is cooling, prepare the vegetables and dressing.
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In a small bowl, mix olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
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Add cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas, and feta cheese to the orzo.
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Pour dressing over orzo mixture and toss to coat evenly. Add fresh herbs, if using.
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Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
