Description
Vegetarian Greek Orzo Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing Mediterranean-inspired dish that combines tender orzo pasta with fresh vegetables, creamy plant-based feta cheese, and a tangy natural dressing. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or picnics, this easy-to-prepare salad offers a balanced and wholesome meal bursting with fresh flavors and delightful textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta (use gluten-free orzo or quinoa pasta for gluten-free option)
- 1 cup cucumber, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup plant-based feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 garlic clove, minced (natural flavoring)
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Cook the Orzo: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it quickly, then set aside to drain thoroughly.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the orzo cools, chop cucumbers, halve cherry tomatoes, slice red onions thinly, and pit and halve Kalamata olives. Roughly chop fresh parsley to add that bright green burst at the end.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, olive oil, apple cider vinegar (natural), minced garlic (natural flavoring), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), salt, and pepper. If desired, stir in a tiny amount of natural gelling agent to give the dressing a silky texture.
- Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked orzo with all vegetables and plant-based feta cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently mix until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve chilled or at room temperature to enjoy the full freshness of this salad.
Notes
- Avoid overcooking orzo to keep a pleasant bite even after chilling.
- Letting the salad rest in the fridge helps deepen flavor melding.
- Use fresh lemon juice for brighter dressing flavor.
- Adjust salt and pepper just before serving to balance seasoning.
- Add plant-based cheese just before serving to retain creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking (boiling pasta only)
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Vegetarian, Greek, Orzo, Pasta Salad, Mediterranean, Plant-based, Gluten-Free, Vegan
