Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Pasta and Noodle - Dinner

This light and refreshing cold pasta salad is loaded with the flavors of the Mediterranean, and pairs well with grilled proteins, such as fish, pork, chicken or steak. If you make this in advance, reserve a bit of the dressing to add right before serving, as the pasta has a tendency to soak up the dressing as it sits over time.

Brief

Prep 20 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Additional: 20 mins

Total: 55 mins

Servings: 6

Yield: 6 servings

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Ingredients

½ (16 ounce) package uncooked orzo pasta

½ pint cherry tomatoes

halved

½ cup diced red onion

1 cup diced cucumber

1 cup pitted Mediterranean olives

cut in half

1 cup finely diced Asiago cheese

1 ½ teaspoons minced fresh garlic

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

½ cup red wine vinegar

½ lemon

juiced

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

¼ cup chopped fresh basil

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Pesto Pasta

Dinner

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite about 9 minutes. Drain well. Rinse with cold water and drain well again.

Step 2

Combine orzo cherry tomatoes red onion cucumber olives and Asiago cheese in a large bowl.

Step 3

Whisk garlic olive oil red wine vinegar lemon juice salt and pepper together in a small bowl to make the vinaigrette. Drizzle over the orzo mixture and toss lightly to combine. Add basil and parsley and mix well. Let sit for 20 minutes for flavors to blend stirring occasionally.

Nutritional Information

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Servings Per Recipe:6

Calories: 418.2

% Daily Value *

Protein: 10.5g 21%

Carbohydrates: 34.7g 11%

Dietary Fiber: 2.7g 11%

Sugars: 2.6g

Fat: 27g 42%

Saturated Fat: 6.3g 32%

Cholesterol: 16.1mg 5%

Vitamin A Iu: 667.1IU 13%

Niacin Equivalents: 2.3mg 18%

Vitamin B6: 0.1mg 4%

Vitamin C: 10mg 17%

Folate: 91.3mcg 23%

Calcium: 171.4mg 17%

Iron: 2.4mg 13%

Magnesium: 30.4mg 11%

Potassium: 205.5mg 6%

Sodium: 819mg 33%

Calories From Fat: 243.1

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Nutrition information is provided for reference only. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.