Description
A bright, tangy, and creamy Mediterranean orzo salad made with Greek yogurt, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, and fresh herbs. It’s a light, flavorful side dish or main course that comes together in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces orzo pasta
- 1 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2–3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, halved
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt (about 1 tablespoon) to the water.
- Add the orzo to the boiling water and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables: dice the red onion, chop the sun-dried tomatoes, halve the olives, mince the garlic, and chop the fresh dill.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Drain the cooked orzo in a colander. Do not rinse. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes to steam off excess water.
- Add the warm orzo to the bowl with the dressing and toss well to coat.
- Add the spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, red onion, and feta cheese. Toss again until everything is evenly coated.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Notes
Do not rinse the pasta, as the starch helps the dressing cling. For best flavor, let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 15-30 minutes before serving. If the salad becomes too dry after storage, add a splash of olive oil or lemon juice. This salad does not freeze well.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
Keywords: orzo salad, mediterranean salad, creamy pasta salad, greek yogurt salad, 15 minute recipes, easy side dish, vegetarian salad, meal prep