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Fresh Greek Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Creamy Feta Dressing

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A fresh and creamy Greek orzo pasta salad featuring a silky feta dressing, bright vegetables, and fresh herbs. Perfect for quick lunches or gatherings, this salad is easy to make and endlessly adaptable.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups (about 270g) dry orzo pasta
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced (seeds removed if preferred)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped (soaked briefly in cold water if milder flavor desired)
  • 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
  • 6 ounces (about 170g) feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) plain full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 1/2 cups dry orzo and cook according to package instructions (usually 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Drain well and set aside.
  2. While orzo cooks, dice the cucumber and halve the cherry tomatoes. Finely chop the red onion and soak briefly in cold water if a milder flavor is preferred. Pit and halve the Kalamata olives. Chop the parsley and mint. Set all aside.
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine crumbled feta, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. If too thick, add a teaspoon of water at a time to loosen. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled orzo with cucumber, tomatoes, onion, olives, and herbs. Pour the creamy feta dressing over the salad and gently fold to coat evenly, avoiding overmixing to keep vegetables crisp.
  5. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Before serving, stir gently and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.

Notes

Rinsing the orzo after cooking prevents sticking and keeps the salad light. Pat vegetables dry to avoid watery salad. Whip the feta dressing thoroughly for a silky texture. Adjust salt gradually as feta and olives add saltiness. The salad tastes better after chilling for at least 30 minutes. Can be made gluten-free by substituting orzo with gluten-free pasta or grains.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek orzo salad, creamy feta dressing, orzo pasta salad, fresh herbs salad, easy Greek salad, vegetarian pasta salad, summer salad

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/fresh-greek-orzo-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-creamy-feta-dressing/