This orzo pasta salad recipe is packed with summery fresh flavors.
Tender orzo pasta is tossed with fresh veggies, chickpeas, and cheese tossed in a bright and tangy lemon vinaigrette.
It’s the perfect dish to make ahead for picnics and potlucks.
![Easy orzo pasta salad is perfect for summer picnics and barbecues. Orzo pasta is combined with tomatoes, chickpeas, cheese, and colorful veggies in a light lemony dressing. This refreshing Mediterranean side dish pairs well with grilled chicken or meats. For a Greek flair, add spinach or feta. Make it ahead to let the flavors come together, and serve cold. #ourzestylife Orzo Pasta Salad in a bowl with wooden spoons](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Orzo-Pasta-Salad-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
A Summertime Favorite
- Refreshing orzo pasta salad has the perfect combination of Mediterranean flavors.
- Healthy and wholesome, this pasta salad can be made into an entree with slices of grilled chicken or thin slices of flank steak.
- Assemble the salad and dressing ahead and toss just before serving so it’s extra cold and the flavors have more time to blend.
- Double up the vinaigrette and use it as a marinade for chicken souvlaki or grilled shrimp.
![Easy orzo pasta salad is a refreshing dish for summer picnics and barbecues. Tender orzo pasta is mixed with tomatoes, chickpeas, cheese, and veggies in a lemony dressing. This tangy Mediterranean salad is good served cold, alongside grilled chicken or meats. Add spinach or feta for a Greek touch. Prepare it ahead to let the flavors meld. #ourzestylife ingredients in a bowl to make Orzo Pasta Salad](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Orzo-Pasta-Salad-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
Ingredients and Variations
Orzo: Orzo may look like a grain of rice, but it’s a pasta shape and the perfect size to pair with the veggies and cheese so a little bit of everything gets on every forkful.
Veggies: Crispy cucumbers, bell peppers, and tomatoes are nourishing and add a pop of crunchy color. We also like snap peas, chopped kale, spinach, or diced red onions.
Chickpeas: Chickpeas are a protein superfood and add a nutty flavor to orzo pasta salad. Not a fan? No problem! Leave them out or exchange them for edamame, cannellini, or black beans.
Cheese: Mozzarella balls AKA bocconcini are petite balls of fresh mozzarella that add a creamy and tangy flavor to orzo pasta salad. Other cheeses like crumbled feta and blue cheese or parmesan will also do.
Dressing: DIY this Italian seasoning blend and adjust the ingredients to suit your palate and try to use fresh lemons for the juice and the zest for the best flavor. If time is short, use a bottle of Greek vinaigrette.
Variations: Other easy and tasty additions are sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts.
![Easy orzo pasta salad is a bright and refreshing dish for casual summer celebrations. Tender orzo pasta is mixed with tomatoes, chickpeas, cheese, and colorful veggies in a light lemony dressing. This tangy salad is a perfect Mediterranean side for grilled chicken or meats. Add spinach or feta for a Greek twist. Make it ahead to let the flavors blend, and serve cold. #ourzestylife plated Orzo Pasta Salad](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Orzo-Pasta-Salad-OurZestyLife-4.jpg)
How to Make Orzo Pasta Salad
- Cook orzo, rinse, and chill in the refrigerator.
- Whisk vinaigrette ingredients together (as per the recipe below).
- Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and toss with vinaigrette and fresh herbs.
![Enjoy easy orzo pasta salad at your summer picnics and barbecues. Tender orzo pasta is tossed with tomatoes, chickpeas, cheese, and fresh veggies in a lemony dressing, and served cold. This tangy Mediterranean dish pairs well with grilled chicken or meats. Add spinach or feta for a Greek touch. Prepare it in advance to let the flavors meld together. #ourzestylife close up of Orzo Pasta Salad in a bowl](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Orzo-Pasta-Salad-OurZestyLife-3.jpg)
Storing Pasta Salad
- Keep leftover orzo pasta salad in a covered container for up to 3 days.
- Stir before serving. Add fresh cukes, tomatoes, or cheese to refresh the flavors.
- Scoop leftover pasta salad onto a hearty bed of greens for an energizing weekday lunch or tuck it into a wrap or pita pocket.
- I don’t advise freezing pasta salad since the moisture-dense orzo and veggies will thaw out to be mushy.
More Summer Salads
Did you make this Orzo Pasta Salad recipe? Leave a comment and rating below!
![Orzo Pasta Salad in a bowl with wooden spoons](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Orzo-Pasta-Salad-OurZestyLife-2-500x500.jpg)
Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry orzo pasta just shy of 1 ¼ cups
- ½ English cucumber chopped
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese diced, or bocconcini
- 15 ounces chick peas 1 can, drained and rinsed
- 2 Tablespoons chives or green onion, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley chopped*
- 2 Tablespoons fresh basil chopped*
Vinaigrette
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Italian dressing mix or ¼ teaspoon each of salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder or Dijon mustard
- juice of 1 lemon
- zest of ½ lemon
Instructions
- Cook orzo according to directions and set aside to cool.
- Add Vinaigrette ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until well combined.
- Add orzo, cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, mozzarella cheese, and chick peas to a large bowl. Toss to combine.
- Add half of vinaigrette and toss, adding vinaigrette to desired level of dressing. Add chives, parsley, and basil and toss to combine.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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![Easy orzo pasta salad is a refreshing dish for summer picnics and barbecues. Tender orzo pasta is mixed with tomatoes, chickpeas, cheese, and veggies in a lemony dressing. This tangy Mediterranean salad is good served cold, alongside grilled chicken or meats. Add spinach or feta for a Greek touch. Prepare it ahead to let the flavors meld. #ourzestylife greek lemon Orzo Pasta Salad with writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SP-Orzo-Pasta-Salad-2-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![Easy orzo pasta salad is perfect for summer picnics and barbecues. Orzo pasta is combined with tomatoes, chickpeas, cheese, and colorful veggies in a light lemony dressing. This refreshing Mediterranean side dish pairs well with grilled chicken or meats. For a Greek flair, add spinach or feta. Make it ahead to let the flavors come together, and serve cold. #ourzestylife easy to make Orzo Pasta Salad wotj writing](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SP-Orzo-Pasta-Salad-2-OurZestyLife-1-.jpg)
![Easy orzo pasta salad is a bright and refreshing dish for casual summer celebrations. Tender orzo pasta is mixed with tomatoes, chickpeas, cheese, and colorful veggies in a light lemony dressing. This tangy salad is a perfect Mediterranean side for grilled chicken or meats. Add spinach or feta for a Greek twist. Make it ahead to let the flavors blend, and serve cold. #ourzestylife plated Orzo Pasta Salad with lemon dressing and a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NP-Orzo-Pasta-Salad-2-OurZestyLife-1.jpg)
![Enjoy easy orzo pasta salad at your summer picnics and barbecues. Tender orzo pasta is tossed with tomatoes, chickpeas, cheese, and fresh veggies in a lemony dressing, and served cold. This tangy Mediterranean dish pairs well with grilled chicken or meats. Add spinach or feta for a Greek touch. Prepare it in advance to let the flavors meld together. #ourzestylife bowl of lemon Orzo Pasta Salad with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NP-Orzo-Pasta-Salad-2-OurZestyLife-2.jpg)
![Try easy orzo pasta salad for your summer picnics and barbecues. Tender orzo is tossed with tomatoes, chickpeas, cheese, and colorful veggies in a lemony dressing. This tangy salad is a perfect Mediterranean side for grilled chicken or meats. Add spinach or feta for a Greek flair. Make it ahead to let the flavors develop. #ourzestylife Orzo Pasta Salad in a bowl and plated with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/LP-Orzo-Pasta-Salad-2-OZL-1.jpg)
![Easy orzo pasta salad with a medley of healthy, wholesome ingredients is a bright, and refreshing dish for summer picnics and barbecues. Tender orzo pasta is tossed with tomatoes, chickpeas, cheese, and colorful fresh veggies and herbs in a light lemony dressing. Tangy and refreshing orzo salad is a Mediterranean side dish ideal for grilled chicken or meats. Add spinach or feta to give it some Greek flair. Make this salad ahead to give the flavors time to meld. #ourzestylife bowls of Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe with a title](https://ourzestylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LP-Orzo-Pasta-Salad-Recipe-OurZestyLife-.jpg)
Adapted from Food Network
This is my new go to summer salad! Everytime I make it for company they rave about it, and my family asks for it all the time. Yum!
I am glad that you and your family enjoyed this salad recipe, Shauna. We love it too!