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Fresh Lemon Vinaigrette Orzo Pasta Salad

fresh lemon vinaigrette orzo pasta salad - featured image
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A light and refreshing orzo pasta salad with crisp cucumbers, tangy lemon vinaigrette, and creamy feta, perfect for summer gatherings and easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (about 270g) orzo pasta
  • 1 large English cucumber, diced
  • ¾ cup (about 100g) crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup (60ml) fresh lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped red onion (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 cups (1 liter) of salted water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 ½ cups (270g) of orzo and cook for 8-9 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the orzo in a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Let it drain thoroughly.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup (60ml) fresh lemon juice, ⅓ cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 minced garlic clove. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  4. Dice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces, finely chop ⅓ cup red onion (if using), and roughly chop 2 tablespoons fresh dill. Set aside.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, cucumber, red onion, and dill. Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  6. Fold in ¾ cup (100g) crumbled feta cheese carefully so it doesn’t break up too much. Adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and the orzo soak up the vinaigrette.

Notes

Rinse the orzo after cooking to stop starch and prevent sogginess. Chill the salad for at least 20 minutes to meld flavors. Be gentle when folding in feta to keep chunks intact. Can substitute orzo with small shells, couscous, or quinoa for gluten-free. Omit feta or use plant-based cheese for dairy-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: orzo pasta salad, lemon vinaigrette, summer salad, cucumber salad, feta cheese, easy pasta salad, gluten-free option, vegetarian

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/fresh-lemon-vinaigrette-orzo-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-perfect-summer-side-dish/