Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad

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Looking for a quick and tasty dish? Mediterranean orzo pasta salad is packed with fresh flavors and bright ingredients. You’ll love how it combines orzo, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and olives with a tangy dressing.

This salad comes together in no time and is perfect for lunch, dinner, or a side dish. It’s a simple, satisfying meal that’s great for sharing or keeping all to yourself. Give it a try and enjoy the vibrant taste of the Mediterranean.

Tool Requirements

Making this orzo pasta salad is pretty simple, and you don’t need a lot of fancy tools. Just grab a large pot for boiling water and cooking the orzo. This is where the magic starts.

You’ll want a colander or a strainer to drain the cooked orzo. It helps to rinse the pasta and make sure it doesn’t stick together.

A good-sized mixing bowl will come in handy to toss everything together. Choose one that gives you enough room to mix without spilling ingredients everywhere.

Measuring cups and spoons are needed to get the right amount of each ingredient. This keeps your salad balanced and tasty.

You might need a sharp knife for chopping vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. A cutting board will keep your counters clean and safe.

A simple mixing spoon is enough to mix everything. Wood or silicone works well to blend without scratching your bowl.

For the dressing, you’ll use a small jar or a whisk. If using a jar, just combine and shake. If you prefer, a whisk works great for blending in a bowl.

These basic kitchen tools make preparing this salad easy and fun. Good luck with your cooking adventure!

Preparing The Ingredients

To get started, gather everything you need for the salad. Start with orzo pasta. It’s usually found in the pasta aisle of grocery stores.

Once you have the orzo, move on to the fresh vegetables. Get some cherry tomatoes, English cucumber, and red onion. These will give the salad a nice crunch and bright flavor.

Next, pick up some black olives. They add a salty punch to the dish. You might want to slice them up before adding them to the mix.

Fresh herbs like parsley and basil are great for an extra layer of flavor. They should be washed and chopped finely to distribute their taste evenly.

Don’t forget about the chickpeas. These are a good source of protein. You’ll want to rinse and drain them before use.

Finally, grab some slivered almonds. Toasting them lightly can bring out a nice nutty taste.

As you prep, make sure everything is chopped to similar sizes to blend well together. Keep these ingredients fresh and ready to mix for your tasty pasta salad.

Serving Suggestions

• This salad is perfect for all occasions. Serve it chilled at a picnic or barbecue. Let it stand out on its own or be a tasty side dish.
• Consider adding some fresh bread to the table. A warm baguette or slices of ciabatta pair well with the flavors of this salad. Bread helps soak up the extra dressing.
• If you’re hosting a dinner, this salad complements grilled veggies and vegan proteins like tofu or tempeh. The flavors all play well together.
• At lunch, pack it in a container for easy transportation. This meal is great for work or school, keeping you full and satisfied during the day.
• Try serving it in individual bowls. This way, each guest gets their own portion. It’s both practical and stylish for casual gatherings.
• Drizzle a little extra olive oil before serving if you want to enhance the flavor. It adds richness and shine to the salad.
• Impress your guests by garnishing the salad with fresh herbs. A sprinkle of parsley or basil adds a pop of color and extra taste.

Storage Tips

• To keep your salad fresh, use an airtight container. This helps maintain its flavors and texture. Put it in the fridge right after you’re done making it.
• When stored properly, the salad stays fresh for up to three days. It’s best enjoyed at its freshest, so try to eat it sooner if possible.
• Before serving leftovers, give it a good stir. This helps mix the dressing and ingredients again, making sure every bite is tasty.
• If you’re packing the salad for lunch, keep it chilled until you’re ready to eat. This keeps it crisp and delicious. Use an insulated bag or ice pack for longer periods.

Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad

This Mediterranean orzo pasta salad is the dish you're looking for! This easy and healthy pasta salad recipe won't take long to make, is delicious, and can be stored easily for later. If you want a vegan pasta salad recipe for lunch, as a side dish, or dinner, try this one out!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 2 servings

Calories 220 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup of orzo pasta
• 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 English cucumber
• 1/4 red onion
• 1/4 cup of black olives
• 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon of fresh basil
• 1/2 cup of chickpeas
• 2 tablespoons of slivered almonds

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Instructions

 

• Gather all your ingredients: orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, English cucumber, red onion, black olives, fresh parsley, fresh basil, chickpeas, and slivered almonds.
• Cook the orzo pasta according to the package instructions.
• Drain the orzo and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
• Chop the cherry tomatoes, English cucumber, and red onion into similar sizes for even blending.
• Slice the black olives.
• Wash and finely chop the fresh parsley and basil.
• Rinse and drain the chickpeas.
• Lightly toast the slivered almonds to bring out a nutty taste.
• Combine the cooked orzo, chopped vegetables, sliced olives, chopped herbs, chickpeas, and toasted almonds in a bowl.
• Mix everything thoroughly to ensure even distribution of ingredients.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcal

Keyword Vegan

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Stefan K.

Stefan has been vegan since 2019 and has been regularly working on his strength since the beginning of 2023. He’s on a mission to help other vegans get stronger and have all of them achieve the quality of life they deserve.