Description
Rainbow Orzo Salad is a delightful and colorful dish that brings together the best of fresh vegetables and tender orzo pasta. This vibrant salad is perfect for any occasion—whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, packing for a picnic, or looking for a quick and nutritious lunch option. With its variety of textures and flavors, it’s not just visually appealing; it’s also packed with essential nutrients. The light and zesty dressing complements the vegetables and orzo perfectly, making this salad a refreshing choice that everyone will love. Plus, it’s easy to customize based on your seasonal favorites or dietary preferences!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1/2 orange bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion (optional)
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the orzo according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo with cherry tomatoes, orange and yellow bell peppers, cucumber, red onion (if using), feta cheese, and basil.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for later enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 8mg