Vibrant Orzo Pasta Salad
Summertime and pasta salad go hand in hand. This Vibrant Orzo Pasta Salad features fresh seasonal produce, feta cheese, and Dash™ Original Seasoning for even more flavor (without the salt)!
How to Properly Cook Orzo
Orzo is a small rice-shaped pasta commonly used in soups, pasta salads, creamy side dishes, and skillet meals.
Basic Stovetop Method (Most Common)
1. Boil Water
- Use plenty of water: about 4–6 quarts per pound of orzo
- Salt the water well so the pasta has flavor
2. Add the Orzo
- Stir right away to prevent sticking
- Cook uncovered
3. Timing
Most orzo cooks in:
- 7–10 minutes for tender
- 6–7 minutes for slightly firmer “al dente”
Taste-test near the end because brands vary.
4. Drain
- Drain in a fine mesh strainer since the pasta is small
- Don’t rinse unless making a cold pasta salad
Toasted Orzo Method (Extra Flavor)
This gives orzo a nuttier, richer flavor.
- Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet
- Add dry orzo
- Stir for 2–4 minutes until lightly golden
- Add broth or water carefully
- Simmer until tender
This method is great for:
- Lemon herb orzo
- Mediterranean dishes
- Creamy parmesan orzo
- Pilaf-style sides
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking → gets mushy fast
- Not stirring early → clumping
- Using too little liquid → uneven cooking
- Rinsing hot orzo for warm dishes → removes starch that helps sauces cling
Additional Mix-In Ideas
Great vegetables and fruits:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Sweet corn
- Bell peppers
- Red onion
- Avocado
- Watermelon
- Strawberries or blueberries
- Arugula or spinach
Your earlier watermelon + feta combo works especially well with orzo in summer.
More ideas:
- Fresh mozzarella pearls
- Parmesan
- Goat cheese
- Kalamata olives
- Capers
- Basil
- Mint
- Dill
- Parsley
- Chives
- Grilled chicken
- Shrimp
- Salmon
- Chickpeas
- White beans
- Salami or prosciutto
Vibrant Orzo Pasta Salad
Summertime and pasta salad go hand in hand. This Vibrant Orzo Pasta Salad features fresh seasonal produce, feta cheese, and Dash™ Original Seasoning for even more flavor (without the salt)!
Ingredients
- 4 cups Orzo pasta cooked according to package instructions
- 2-3 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Dash™ Original Seasoning
- 1 cup Cucumber deseeded and diced
- ½ cup Yellow bell pepper diced
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes
- ¼ cup Green onion diced
- ¼ cup Black olives sliced
- ½ cup Feta cheese crumbled
- ¼ cup Parsley chopped
For the Dressing
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tsp Honey
- 1 tsp Dash™ Original Seasoning
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine cooked pasta with olive oil, and Dash™ Original Seasoning.
- In a medium bowl, combine the cucumber, bell pepper, tomatoes, green onion, olives, feta, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and Dash™ Original Seasoning. Add the dressing to the bowl with the vegetables and combine. Then add in the orzo pasta. Serve topped with additional feta and parsley.