How to Make a Basic Orzo Salad Recipe

Did you know Orzo Salad is a pasta dish?

In our house, orzo is huge. A macaroni product that cooks in minutes and is an excellent addition to salads, soups, and side dishes.

For those unfamiliar with orzo, pasta looks like a large grain of rice. My youngest daughter likes to cook up a batch, add salt and butter, and enjoy it for lunch. It's simple, no fuzz, and a start to her culinary education.

Orzo - A Blank Canvas

I think of orzo as a blank canvas on which to create wonderful salad recipes, like my Seafood Orzo Salad or Carrot Orzo Salad.

Start with a box or bag of cooked orzo, let it cool to room temperature, add some vegetables, proteins, herbs, and spices, and create your master recipe. This is a basic orzo recipe. Think of it as your starting point.

Then, I will offer up a selection of ingredients that work nicely together to give you some ideas, but I encourage you to play around with your favorite foods to create your own.

Grilled Salmon with Orzo

Last night, we prepared my wife's Grilled Salmon Steaks with Lemon and Dill Recipe and created a side dish with orzo and some "what's on hand" ingredients from the refrigerator and pantry.

For the record, I call them "grilled" salmon steaks, but they are roasted or baked salmon steaks cooked on the grill. The steaks sit on cedar planks, but the fish is cooked with indirect heat.

We needed a side dish to serve with the salmon, so we devised this basic orzo salad recipe. You have a great, quick, and easy meal with roasted tomatoes from the freezer, black olives, fresh olive oil, and a little salt and pepper.

Even better was taking the leftover salmon, breaking it up into bite-sized pieces, and adding it to the leftover orzo salad, and you have a seafood orzo salad that can't be beaten.

What Is Orzo?

Orzo is a type of pasta shaped like rice grains. It is made from durum wheat flour and water and is usually cooked by boiling it until tender. Orzo is often used in soups, salads, and other dishes to substitute rice or grains.

It is a versatile ingredient that can be flavored in various ways and pairs well with various ingredients. Some familiar orzo dishes include pasta salads, minestrone soup, and pilaf.

How To Cook Orzo?

📖 Recipe

Print Recipe

Basic Orzo Salad Recipe

Orzo is a type of pasta that is prepared similarly to other types of pasta.

Course: Pasta, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: orzo

Ingredients

• orzo pasta
• water
• salt optional

Instructions

• First, bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt if desired.
• Then, add the orzo to the boiling water.
• Cook the orzo according to the package instructions, usually for 8-10 minutes or until tender.
• Drain the orzo in a colander, then return it to the pot.
• You can use the orzo in your recipe as desired or toss it with olive oil or butter to prevent it from sticking together.

Notes

That's it! Orzo is a quick and easy pasta to prepare and can be used in various dishes.

How to Make a Greek Orzo Salad

📖 Recipe

Print Recipe

Greek Orzo Salad Recipe

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Greek

Keyword: orzo

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• ½ cup feta cheese crumpled
• ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse the orzo under cold water.
• Combine the cooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and red onion in a large bowl.
• Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, basil, and oregano in a small bowl—season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour the dressing over the orzo mixture and toss to combine.
• Serve the orzo salad chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Notes

This Greek orzo salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish or light lunch option. For added flavor and texture, you can also add other ingredients such as chopped cucumbers, olives, or bell peppers.

How To Prepare an Italian Orzo Salad?

📖 Recipe

Print Recipe

Italian Orzo Salad Recipe

Here is a recipe for an Italian orzo salad with orzo, vegetables, and a flavorful vinaigrette:

Course: Pasta

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: orzo

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• ½ cup bell peppers (red, yellow, or green) chopped
• ½ cup red onion finely chopped
• ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse the orzo under cold water.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, parsley, and feta cheese (if using).
• Whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, basil, mustard, and oregano in a small bowl—season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Pour the dressing over the orzo mixture and toss to combine.
• Serve the orzo salad chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Notes

This Italian orzo salad is a colorful and flavorful side dish or light lunch option. You can add other ingredients such as olives, chopped cucumbers, or roasted vegetables for added flavor and texture.

Some of My Favorite Pasta Recipes