Description
A refreshing and vibrant orzo pasta salad with creamy feta, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil, perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or light dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: sliced olives, chopped cucumbers, or red onion
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package instructions (around 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- While the pasta is cooling, prepare your other ingredients. Chop the sun-dried tomatoes and basil, crumble the feta, and mince the garlic.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Add the cooked orzo to the bowl and toss it in the dressing until well coated.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes, feta, and basil to the bowl. Gently fold everything together. Be careful not to break up the feta too much—you want some nice chunks in there.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more lemon juice for extra brightness or a pinch of salt if required.
- Optional: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
[‘Cook the orzo al dente to avoid it becoming mushy.’, ‘Rinse the pasta under cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.’, ‘Taste the salad before serving and adjust the acidity, salt, or olive oil to your liking.’, ‘Use fresh ingredients like basil and high-quality olive oil for the best flavor.’, ‘Allow the salad to sit in the fridge for a few hours to enhance the flavors.’]
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
Keywords: orzo pasta salad, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, lemon dressing, quick recipe, easy salad, summer dish, potluck recipe