Greek Orzo Pasta Salad is a bright, fresh, and flavor-packed dish made with tender orzo pasta, bell peppers, crisp cucumbers, spinach, briny olives, and creamy feta, all tossed in a zesty lemon-herb dressing.
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean
Keyword Easy Orzo Pasta Salad, Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Prep Time 15minutes
Cook Time 10minutes
Total Time 25minutes
Servings 8
Calories 417kcal
Ingredients
16ozOrzo Pasta(455 g) uncooked – cook to al dente (9–11 minutes)
½cupRed Onion(75 g), finely chopped
1cupKalamata Olives(150 g)
½cupGreen Olives(75 g)
¾cupFeta(115 g)
4Mini Bell Peppers(200 g), red, orange, yellow
4Mini Persian (200 g), or Hot House Cucumbers, skin left on
½cupOlive Oil(120 ml)
¼cupRed Wine Vinegar(60 ml)
2Spinach(70 g), heaping handfuls
1wholeLemon(45–60 ml) juice of whole lemon, about 3–4 tablespoon
Instructions
Cook the Orzo - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta (16 oz / 455 g) and cook according to the package directions, usually about 9 to 11 minutes, until al dente—tender but with a slight bite. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
Prep the Vegetables - While the pasta cools, finely chop the red onion, and slice the peppers and cucumbers in half lengthwise then into ⅛” slices. You can leave the skin on the cucumbers for extra crunch and color.
Crumble the Feta - Using clean hands or a fork, crumble the feta cheese (¾ cup / 115 g) into small, bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
Make the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil (½ cup / 120 ml), red wine vinegar (¼ cup / 60 ml), and the juice of 1 lemon (about 3–4 tablespoons / 45–60 ml). Stir or shake well to combine.
Assemble the Salad - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo pasta with the chopped red onion, bell peppers, cucumbers, Kalamata olives (1 cup / 150 g), and green olives (½ cup / 75 g). Pour the dressing over the top and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Add the Greens and Feta - Gently fold in two generous handfuls of fresh spinach (about 70 g) and the crumbled feta cheese. Give everything one final toss to bring it all together.
Serve and Enjoy - Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed—add a pinch of salt or a bit more lemon juice if you'd like a brighter flavor. Serve chilled or at room temperature. This salad makes a perfect lunch, side dish, or potluck favorite!
Notes
Recipe Note: For a complete meal with protein, pair this salad with grilled Greek Lemon Chicken —it's a perfect match!