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Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad

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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!

A large bowl of orzo pasta salad with lemon dressing.

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.

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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.
A serving of orzo pasta salad with a fork.

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.
The orzo pasta salad ingredients, labeled.
The dressing ingredients, labeled.

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.

A bowl of the pasta salad ingredients, divided by ingredient.

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.

A bowl of the pasta salad with a jar of dressing.

Store leftovers. Store pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Orzo FAQs:

Should I rinse orzo before cooking?

There is no reason to rinse the orzo before boiling for this pasta salad.

Is orzo a rice or a pasta?

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.

A serving bowl of pasta salad with honey lemon dressing.

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.

Side view of a orzo pasta salad with veggies.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

xoxo ~Sue

A bowl of the lemon orzo pasta salad with a fork.

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!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 386kcal
Author: Sue Ringsdorf

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 386kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 232mg | Potassium: 488mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 829IU | Vitamin C: 52mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Suebeehomemaker or tag #suebeehomemaker!

6 Comments

  1. 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.

  2. 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!

  3. All time favorite side for summertime grilling!

    1. Suebee Homemaker says:

      I 100% agree!

  4. Love this light tasting recipe for those hot summer days!

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