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Rainbow Orzo Salad

Rainbow Orzo Salad: A Bright and Tasty Summer Treat

Rainbow Orzo Salad is a vibrant, veggie-packed delight that encapsulates the essence of summer and is quick to prepare.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 cup orzo pasta can substitute with gluten-free or whole grain alternatives
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes can swap for grape or diced Roma tomatoes
  • 1 medium cucumber unpeeled for enhanced flavor
  • 1 each bell pepper any color
  • 1/4 medium red onion shallots can be used for milder flavor
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese omit or substitute with goat cheese for vegan option
  • to taste fresh herbs (e.g., parsley, basil) mix and match your favorites
For the Dressing
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil avocado oil can be a nice twist
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar can substitute with white wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey maple syrup for vegan option

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • mixing bowl
  • Small Bowl
  • whisk
  • spatula

Method
 

Cooking and Mixing
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 cup of orzo pasta and cook for 7-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. Chop 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, peel and chop 1 cucumber, and slice 1 bell pepper. Finely chop ¼ of a red onion. Place in a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of honey until combined.
  4. Add the drained orzo to the bowl of chopped veggies and gently mix to combine.
  5. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss until everything is coated.
  6. Crumble ½ cup of feta cheese and add fresh herbs, gently folding them into the salad.
  7. Serve immediately, or chill for 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 8gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 900IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For a vegan option, omit feta and use avocado for creaminess. Let the salad sit for about 30 minutes to meld flavors.

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