Best Mediterranean Orzo Spinach Salad Recipes

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MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD



Mediterranean Orzo Salad image

Crunchy fresh vegetables and leafy spinach pair with orzo pasta and briny olives and feta cheese for an easy pasta salad perfect for meal prep or parties.

Provided by Heidi

Categories     Salad

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 14

16 ounces orzo
3 cups baby spinach leaves (, gently torn into large pieces)
1 1/2 chopped red bell pepper (, about one red bell pepper)
1 cup cucumber (, diced and seeded, about one medium)
3/4 cup red onion (, diced)
5 ounces Castelvetrano green olives (, drained and halved)
5 ounces Kalamata pitted olives (, drained and halved)
7 ounces feta cheese
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup olive oil
1 lemon (, juiced)
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil, season with salt, and cook the orzo for 10 minutes. Drain, rinse, and set aside to cool.
  • Transfer the cooled orzo to a large mixing bowl. Add the spinach, chopped vegetables, and olives, then crumble half of the feta cheese over the pasta.
  • In a small bowl, whisk the canola oil, olive oil, lemon juice, oregano and salt and pepper until mixed. Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta mixture and gently fold until the pasta and veggies are coated. Taste for seasoning and top with the remaining feta cheese.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight before serving. The pasta is best within 2-3 days, but will last in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 0.75 cup, Calories 356 kcal, Carbohydrate 33 g, Protein 8 g, Fat 22 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Sodium 756 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 3 g

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD



Mediterranean Orzo Salad image

You'll love this easy orzo salad loaded with chopped veggies, fresh herbs and other Mediterranean favorites. Tossed in a bold lemony dressing. For the best flavor, dress the Mediterranean orzo salad while the orzo is still a little warm. Pasta that hasn't cooled completely will drink up the dressing really well. And allow the salad to sit for at least a few minutes (or up to an hour in the fridge) for the flavors to meld before serving.

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories     Salad

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 ½ cup dry orzo pasta
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, (halved)
2 green onions, (trimmed and chopped (both white and green parts))
½ green bell pepper, (seeds removed, chopped)
1 cup packed chopped fresh parsley, (about 1 ½ ounces)
½ cup packed chopped fresh dill, (about 0.5 ounces)
¼ cup sliced pitted kalamata olives, (about 1 ounce)
2 teaspoons capers
Feta cheese, (to your liking)
1 lemon, (zested and juiced)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, (minced)
1 teaspoon oregano

Steps:

  • Cook the orzo pasta according package instructions (mine took about 8 minutes). Drain and cool briefly.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the grape tomatoes, green onions, bell peppers, parsley, dill, olives and capers (hold the feta for now). Add the orzo pasta.
  • Make the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, oregano and a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Whisk to combine.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined and the orzo pasta is well coated with the dressing.
  • Top with pieces of creamy feta cheese. Cover and refrigerate for a bit before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 111.1 kcal, Carbohydrate 6.9 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Cholesterol 0.4 mg, Sodium 39.4 mg, Fiber 2.3 g, ServingSize 1 serving

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD



Mediterranean Orzo Salad image

This spinach and whole wheat pasta salad, tossed with sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives and garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas), is satisfying enough as a light main course, or perfect to serve alongside grilled entrées.

Time 15m

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 pound whole wheat orzo pasta
4 cups baby spinach
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in extra-virgin olive oil, chopped, plus 2 tablespoons oil from the jar
1 (15.0-ounce) can garbanzo beans (also called chickpeas), rinsed and drained
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, sliced lengthwise
2 tablespoons roughly chopped mint leaves
2 tablespoons roughly chopped parsley

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat, and cook orzo until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, rinse in cold water and drain again.
  • In a large bowl, whisk lemon juice with reserved oil from sun-dried tomatoes, salt and pepper.
  • Then add sun-dried tomatoes, olives, garbanzo beans, mint and parsley. Refrigerate for 1 hour for flavors to meld.
  • Stir in baby spinach before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 390 calories, Fat 6 grams, SaturatedFat 0.5 grams, Cholesterol 0 milligrams, Sodium 430 milligrams, Carbohydrate 71 grams, Protein 15 grams

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD



Mediterranean Orzo Salad image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h35m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 lemon, juiced
1 clove garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces orzo pasta
One 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained.
1 1/2 cups red grape or cherry tomatoes
1 1/2 cups yellow grape or cherry tomatoes
1 1/2 cups kalamata olives, halved
1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese, plus more for topping
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, plus more for topping
1 red onion, diced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • For the dressing: In a jar or bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and some salt and pepper until totally combined.
  • For the salad: Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the orzo according to the package directions. Drain and let cool.
  • Place the orzo, chickpeas, red and yellow tomatoes, olives, feta, parsley and onions in a large mixing bowl and pour the dressing over the top. Stir to combine and taste; add salt and pepper if needed. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
  • Top with more feta and parsley and serve as a main dish salad or with grilled chicken, fish or burgers!

SPINACH ORZO SALAD



Spinach Orzo Salad image

This incredibly tasty salad couldn't be any easier to put together, and since it feeds a bunch, you won't have to double the recipe for potlucks or picnics. Chill it for about an hour to bring out all the fresh flavors. Donna Bardocz - Howell, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 package (16 ounces) orzo pasta
6 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 8 cups), finely chopped
3/4 cup finely chopped red onion
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
3/4 cup reduced-fat balsamic vinaigrette
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

Steps:

  • Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain ozo; rinse with cold water and drain well., In a large bowl, combine spinach, onion, cheese and orzo. Mix vinaigrette, basil and pepper; toss gently with spinach mixture. Refrigerate until serving. Stir in pine nuts just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 255 calories, Fat 8g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 279mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 8g protein.

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD



Mediterranean Orzo Salad image

This light and refreshing cold pasta salad is loaded with the flavors of the Mediterranean, and pairs well with grilled proteins, such as fish, pork, chicken or steak. If you make this in advance, reserve a bit of the dressing to add right before serving, as the pasta has a tendency to soak up the dressing as it sits over time.

Provided by Kim's Cooking Now

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 55m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 14

½ (16 ounce) package uncooked orzo pasta
½ pint cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup diced red onion
1 cup diced cucumber
1 cup pitted Mediterranean olives, cut in half
1 cup finely diced Asiago cheese
1 ½ teaspoons minced fresh garlic
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup red wine vinegar
½ lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 9 minutes. Drain well. Rinse with cold water and drain well again.
  • Combine orzo, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, olives, and Asiago cheese in a large bowl.
  • Whisk garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl to make the vinaigrette. Drizzle over the orzo mixture and toss lightly to combine. Add basil and parsley and mix well. Let sit for 20 minutes for flavors to blend, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 418.2 calories, Carbohydrate 34.7 g, Cholesterol 16.1 mg, Fat 27 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 10.5 g, SaturatedFat 6.3 g, Sodium 819 mg, Sugar 2.6 g

SPINACH AND ORZO SALAD



Spinach and Orzo Salad image

A light, easy-to-make salad that's pleasing to the palate.

Provided by Christine R.

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked orzo pasta
1 (10 ounce) package baby spinach leaves, finely chopped
½ pound crumbled feta cheese
½ red onion, finely chopped
¾ cup pine nuts
½ teaspoon dried basil
¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
½ cup olive oil
½ cup balsamic vinegar

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in spinach, feta, onion, pine nuts, basil and white pepper. Toss with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Refrigerate and serve cold.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 490.5 calories, Carbohydrate 49 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Fat 26.9 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 15.8 g, SaturatedFat 7.3 g, Sodium 349.2 mg, Sugar 6.5 g

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