Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad is a perfect warm-weather salad combining orzo pasta, fresh veggies, garbanzo beans, feta cheese, and a light lemon dressing. This one makes a delicious side dish to any meal – plus it’s beautiful!
Try our Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad, Chopped Greek Pasta Salad, or Grinder Salad next!
Orzo Pasta Salad
Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad makes an appearance on our dinner table quite often – and then does a quick disappearing act because we love it so much. Coveted leftovers are great meal prep for hubby’s work lunches with or without extra protein.
You can never go wrong with pasta salad, right? Kids and adults love it, and it’s easy to modify for even the pickiest of eaters. Got kids who don’t like veggies? Serve them separately and allow the adults to add them to their serving!
Why This Recipe Works:
- SIMPLE – This pasta uses simple, pantry staples plus a bunch of veggies. Such an easy side dish to make at the last minute.
- SATISFIES A CRAVING – Not sure about you, but I crave pasta and this one satisfies it. The lemon dressing is the perfect addition and adds freshness.
- SUPER DELICIOUS – So many delicious flavors in one of our favorite pasta salads. You’re gonna love it!
- PERFECT FOR SUMMER PICNICS – This recipe packs well and is a perfect side dish for summer picnics or any summer meal.
What You’ll Need:
Basic ingredients are used in this simple lemon orzo salad.
- Orzo Pasta – A rice-shaped pasta that you’ll find in the pasta aisle of your grocery store.
- Chicken Broth (or use vegetable broth)
- Garbanzo Beans (aka chickpeas)
- Feta Cheese – We love creamy feta cheese and it goes perfectly in this orzo pasta salad recipe.
- Crisp Veggies – Bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and green onions.
- The simple lemon vinaigrette – Olive oil, lemon (freshly squeezed), honey, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add a little lemon zest if desired.
- Optional Ingredients – For some variation, add some English cucumber and/or Kalamata olives, swap the feta cheese for goat cheese, and add some rotisserie chicken to make this a main course. You can also add some fresh herbs.
How to make Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad:
Step 1
Cook orzo. In a medium stock pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Add orzo, turn heat down to a simmer, and cook until pasta is al dente. Strain pasta, cool, and add to a mixing bowl.
Step 2
Chop veggies. Chop the bell peppers, tomatoes, and green onions. Set aside.
Step 3
Combine salad ingredients. To the mixing bowl (with the orzo), add the chopped veggies, garbanzo beans, and feta cheese. Stir to combine.
Step 4
Make honey lemon dressing. In a mason jar, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Shake vigorously to combine.
Step 5
Add dressing to pasta salad. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and stir to mix well. Test and add additional salt and pepper as needed.
Step 6
Chill. As a final step, I recommend chilling the salad for at least an hour before serving for best results.
Step 7
Serve. Serve pasta salad alongside your favorite main dish.
Store leftovers. Store pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Orzo FAQs:
There is no reason to rinse the orzo before boiling for this pasta salad.
Orzo (also known as risoni), is a form of short-cut pasta, shaped like a large grain of rice. Orzo is traditionally made from flour, but it can also be made from whole grain.
Recipe Tips:
- While this Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad can be eaten freshly made, chilling it for 30 minutes to an hour will allow the flavors to meld together.
- If planning to chill the salad before serving, reserve a little of the dressing to add RIGHT BEFORE you serve. Add the last of the dressing and toss – THEN SERVE.
- Add some strips of grilled chicken and/or steak over top for added protein and make this salad a full meal!
- If the salad appears to be drying out and you’re out of dressing, add a drizzle of olive oil!
What to serve alongside Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad:
This salad makes a great side for summertime grilling.
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 4 cups lower-sodium chicken broth
- 16 oz. orzo pasta
- 6 oz. feta cheese
- 1/2 medium red bell pepper – chopped
- 1/2 medium yellow bell pepper – chopped
- 1/2 medium orange bell pepper – chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes – sliced in half
- 1/2 cup green onions – diced
- 15 oz. garbanzo beans – rinsed and strained
For the dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 1/2 large lemons – freshly squeezed
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
Instructions
- Cook orzo. In a medium stock pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Add orzo and turn heat down to a simmer and cook until pasta is al dente. Strain pasta, cool, and add to a mixing bowl.
- Chop veggies. Chop the bell peppers, tomatoes, and green onions. Set aside.
- Combine salad ingredients. To the mixing bowl (with the orzo), add the chopped veggies, garbanzo beans, and feta cheese. Stir to combine.
- Make dressing. In a mason jar, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Shake vigorously to combine.
- Add dressing to pasta salad. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and stir to mix well. Test and add additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Chill. I recommend chilling the salad for at least an hour before serving.
- Serve. Serve pasta salad alongside your favorite main dish.
Notes
- While this Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad can be eaten freshly made, chilling it for 30 minutes to an hour will allow the flavors to meld together.
- If planning to chill the salad before serving, reserve a little of the dressing to add RIGHT BEFORE you serve. Add the last of the dressing and toss – THEN SERVE.
- Add some strips of grilled chicken and/or steak over top for added protein and make this salad a full meal!
- Store pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
This is a delicious salad loaded with veggies and one of my favorite pastas!! I love the lemon and feta!! It’s a full meal.
This is an awesome refreshing alternative to the traditional pasta salad. Our family absolutely loved it and it’s quick and easy to make. This will be a staple for us!
All time favorite side for summertime grilling!
I 100% agree!
Love this light tasting recipe for those hot summer days!
AMEN!