Easy Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad Recipes

EASY ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo until tender. Cool.
• Combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk.
• Combine orzo with remaining salad ingredients.
• Toss with dressing and season with salt and pepper.
• Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving

EASY LEMON ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo in very salty water until just barely al dente.
• Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
• Drain orzo and set aside.
• While the orzo cooks, use a microplane to zest your lemon. Place zest into a large mixing bowl.
• Cut zested lemon in half and squeeze lemon juice into your mixing bowl. Be careful not to let any lemon seeds fall into the bowl!
• Add olive oil, salt, and pepper to bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
• Add reserved 1/2 cup pasta water to your lemon juice mixture and whisk to combine. The sauce will look watery, but don't worry - the orzo will soak the liquid up as it cools!
• Add cooked, drained orzo to lemon juice mixture and stir to combine.
• Let orzo cool for 10-15 minutes.
• Add basil and tomatoes to orzo. Stir to combine. Taste and add salt or pepper as necessary.
• Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container and chill until ready to serve. Top with an extra sprig of basil for garnish if you like.

LEMON ORZO PASTA SALAD WITH CUCUMBERS AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until tender, 6 to 10 minutes (check box for actual cook time). Drain.
• While the orzo cooks, in a large bowl, whisk the oil, mustard, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add the drained orzo to the dressing and mix well.
• Stir in the cucumber, tomato, herbs, olives and artichokes. Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and/or pepper as needed. Enjoy warm or cover then refrigerate until cool, about 1 hour.

LEMON ORZO

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt and the orzo. Return the water to a boil and simmer uncovered for 9 to 11 minutes, until the orzo is al dente. Drain.
• Transfer the orzo to a bowl and stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Fold in the feta and serve hot.

CONFETTI ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo in plenty of boiling water until tender, 10-12 minutes. Drain.
• Whisk oil, lemon juice, zest, salt, pepper, and garlic until blended.
• Toss all of the ingredients together. Serve hot or cold.