• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Easy Dinner Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Sweet Baked Goods
    • Instant Pot & Air Fryer Recipes
      • Instant Pot Recipes
      • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Homemade Syrups, Condiments, Sauces, etc.
  • Cocktails
    • Gin
    • Vodka
    • Tequila
    • Whiskey/Bourbon
    • Brandy/Pisco
  • Holiday Recipes
    • Christmas Recipes
    • Thanksgiving Recipes
    • Halloween Recipes
    • Patriotic Recipes
    • Valentine's Day Recipes
    • Easter Recipes
    • St. Patrick's Day Recipes
  • Easy Recipes, Cocktail Inspiration, and a little bit of fun!
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index

EmilyFabulous

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Christmas Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Emily Fabulous » Recipes » Recipes

    Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad

    Published: Feb 6, 2022 · Modified: Aug 1, 2023 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 62 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    A bright, fresh, and delicious Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad that makes the perfect side dish or light meal. This dish is packed with fresh vegetables, and orzo pasta, and topped off with a homemade lemon-herb dressing for the perfect Greek-inspired salad.

    greek-orzo-salad-in-a-bowl-with-greek-dressing
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients Needed This Recipe
    • How to Make This Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
    • Expert Tips, Substitutions, and Variations
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe
    • Did You Make this Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad

    When I was working in retail one of my go-to meals was a Greek pasta salad at the mall. I knew once I left that job I would have to try and recreate the salad at home, and I finally nailed it.

    I love to make this salad in the summer when I have fresh vegetables from my garden, but it's also easy to make any time of year with basic ingredients. The part of this recipe that took me a while to figure out was the dressing that pulls the whole thing together.

    I finally found a delicious combination of herbs, fresh lemon juice, and extra-virgin olive oil that not only works perfectly in this dish but is also just a great salad dressing to have in your arsenal. Check out my Lemon Herb Salad Dressing or find the link in the recipe card.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    You'll love this Orzo Lemon Pasta Salad for its vibrant and refreshing flavors, combining the zesty tang of lemon with the delightful texture of orzo. The medley of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs adds a burst of color and a satisfying crunch, making it a perfect side dish or light meal for any occasion.

    Ingredients Needed This Recipe

    The photo below is of the salad ingredients as well as the Lemon Herb Salad Dressing ingredients. You really only need a handful of ingredients to make this orzo salad.

    Fresh Vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, red onion, green bell pepper, and cucumber all add delicious fresh flavors as well as vitamins, nutrients, and bright colors to this dish.

    Greek Olives: Greek olives add a briny and savory element to the salad. They provide a rich flavor and pleasant saltiness.

    Boxed Orzo Pasta: Orzo pasta is a small, rice-shaped pasta that is perfect for salads. It cooks quickly, has a smooth texture, and tastes wonderful cold.

    Feta Cheese: Feta cheese adds a tangy and salty taste to the orzo pasta salad. It has a crumbly texture and enhances the overall Mediterranean flavor.

    Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a bright and zesty flavor to the salad. It's highly recommended to use freshly squeezed juice since bottled juice has extra additives.

    ingredients-for-orzo-lemon-greek-salad

    Herbs and Spices: Dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper all enhance this dish to perfection.

    Garlic: Garlic brings a pungent and savory taste to the salad. It adds depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.

    Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Extra-virgin olive oil is used to dress the salad, providing richness and a smooth texture. It adds a distinct fruity and peppery flavor.

    greek-orzo-pasta-with-lemon-dressing

    How to Make This Greek Pasta Salad Recipe

    If you haven't made or bought the dressing yet, make the lemon herb salad dressing. Clean and cut the cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, cucumber, and Greek olives.

    Cook the orzo pasta according to the box instructions. Give the pasta a quick rinse with cold water and set it aside.

    In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta and all of the prepared vegetables. Pour in ¼ cup of the dressing and stir to combine. Continue to add the dressing to taste.

    Pour in the crumbled feta cheese and stir to combine. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour. Overnight is best to allow all of the flavors to blend together.

    greek-lemon-salad-dressing
    lemon herb salad dressing

    Expert Tips, Substitutions, and Variations

    Although I highly recommend making your own dressing, you can use store-bought dressing and save yourself a step. And if you don't want the lemon flavor, you can use red wine or balsamic vinegar, just add to taste in place of the lemon juice.

    If you don't have or like Greek olives, you can use black olives.

    Cherry tomatoes work so well in this salad because they are nice and sweet and the perfect size for slicing. But, you can also use any tomato and still have a delicious salad.

    Orzo pasta works well in this dish because of its size. The small pasta makes it possible to get more of the other flavors in each bite. However, you can also make this with other types of pasta like bowtie or elbow to name a few.

    lemon orzo pasta salad recipe
    Click on the image above to PIN for later!

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I use regular pasta instead of orzo?

    Yes, you can substitute orzo with other small pasta shapes like penne or fusilli if you don't have orzo on hand. However, orzo's unique shape and texture work exceptionally well in this salad.

    Can I make the salad ahead of time?

    Yes, lemon orzo pasta salad can be made ahead of time. It's best to prepare the salad components separately and keep them cold. Toss them together with the dressing just before serving to keep the flavors and textures fresh.

    How should I store leftover lemon orzo pasta salad?

    Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for up to 2-3 days. If the salad becomes a bit dry after refrigeration, you can add a little more dressing or a drizzle of olive oil before serving.

    Can I add protein to the salad?

    Absolutely! Lemon orzo pasta salad is versatile, and you can add a protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to make it a heartier and more satisfying meal.

    greek orzo pasta with lemon dressing

    Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe

    A bright, fresh, and delicious Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad that makes the perfect side dish or light meal.
    5 from 74 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Chilling Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 353kcal
    Author: Emily
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 1 large bowl
    • plastic wrap or cover for the bowl

    Ingredients

    • 1 16 ounce box orzo pasta, cooked
    • 1 pound cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
    • 1 large red onion, diced
    • 1 large green bell pepper, diced
    • 1 medium cucumber, cut into bite-sized pieces
    • ⅓ pound greek olives, halved or quartered
    • 6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
    • lemon herb salad dressing

    Instructions

    • Cook the orzo pasta according to the box instructions. Give the pasta a quick rinse with cold water and set it aside to continue to cool while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
    • Prepare the cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, cucumber, and greek olives. Depending on the size of the tomatoes and olives, you can cut them in half or quarter them. You want everything to be similar in size and small enough to be able to get all of the goodies in one bite.
    • If you haven't made or bought the dressing yet, make the lemon herb salad dressing.
    • In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta and all of the prepared vegetables. Pour in ¼ cup of the dressing and stir to combine. Continue to add the dressing to taste.
    • Pour in the crumbled feta cheese and stir to combine. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour. Overnight is best to allow all of the flavors to blend together.

    Notes

    • Store any leftovers covered in the fridge for 4-5 days. 
    • Although I highly recommend making your own dressing, you can use store-bought dressing and save yourself a step. And if you don't want the lemon flavor, you can use red wine or balsamic vinegar. Add to taste in place of the lemon juice.
    • If you don't have or like greek olives, you can use black olives.
    • Cherry tomatoes work so well in this salad because they are nice and sweet and the perfect size for slicing. But, you can also use any tomato and still have a delicious salad.
    • Orzo pasta works well in this dish because of its size. The small pasta makes it possible to get more of the other flavors in each bite. However, you can also make this with other types of pasta like bowtie or elbow to name a few.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 39.8g | Protein: 10.6g | Fat: 17.4g | Saturated Fat: 4.3g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 633mg | Potassium: 367mg | Fiber: 1.5g | Sugar: 4.6g | Calcium: 133mg | Iron: 2mg

    Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @EmilyFabulous_Blog or tag #emilyfabulous!

    Did You Make this Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad

    If you get a chance to make this Greek Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad recipe, don’t forget to leave a comment below. You can also tag me on Instagram. or Facebook.

    If you want even more fun and delicious recipes, sign up for my email list and follow me on Pinterest so you never miss a recipe!

    More Recipes

    • whiskey-black-walnut-bitters-cocktail
      Black Walnut Old Fashioned
    • whiskey guava drink
      Guava Cocktail
    • huckleberry syrup
      Huckleberry Syrup
    • dragon fruit margarita
      Dragon Fruit Margarita

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Grace says

      July 27, 2022 at 5:36 pm

      5 stars
      Made this tonight. So good! I omitted the olives (not a fan), and added some homemade pesto. Thanks so much!!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        July 27, 2022 at 7:47 pm

        Grace, that sounds delicious, adding pesto is so smart! Thanks for trying the recipe and letting me know how it turned out!

        Reply
    2. Rosalind Davis says

      July 09, 2022 at 3:12 am

      5 stars
      Very easy and delicious also l added Broccoli it's my favorite salad thank you

      Reply
      • Emily says

        July 10, 2022 at 9:03 am

        Oooh, love the addition of broccoli, great idea!

        Reply
    3. Rosalind Davis says

      July 09, 2022 at 3:01 am

      5 stars
      Very easy and delicious

      Reply
      • Emily says

        July 10, 2022 at 9:03 am

        Thanks, Rosalind, I'm glad you liked it!

        Reply
    4. Bianca says

      May 29, 2022 at 2:55 pm

      5 stars
      This orzo pasta salad was the perfect addition to our BBQ today. Will definitely be making this again

      Reply
      • Emily says

        May 30, 2022 at 7:32 pm

        So glad to hear it, it's perfect for BBQ's!

        Reply
    5. Dave says

      May 29, 2022 at 10:38 am

      5 stars
      Beautiful and easy recipe for summer !

      Reply
    6. Katie says

      May 29, 2022 at 8:36 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is absolutely fantastic! Will be making again for sure.

      Reply
      • Emily says

        May 30, 2022 at 7:32 pm

        Thanks for trying it out!

        Reply
    7. Gina Abernathy says

      May 29, 2022 at 4:35 am

      5 stars
      The best dish of the summer is a big pasta salad! All of those veggies and delicious dressing in my mouth in one bite!

      Reply
      • Emily says

        May 30, 2022 at 7:33 pm

        I totally agree! Love those summer veggies!

        Reply
    8. Jeannie says

      May 28, 2022 at 5:56 pm

      5 stars
      love a pasta salad, making them in advance and enjoy as my meal

      Reply
    9. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says

      May 28, 2022 at 1:49 pm

      5 stars
      Oh wow, I need to make this at work! I bet the clients would love this option for a quick cold lunch on a hot day!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Emily! I'm excited to share my passions, experiments, and fun with you. I love to cook, bake, create recipes, mix cocktails and try new things!

    More about me →

    Christmas Recipes

    • reindeer cake pops on a cake stand1
      Reindeer Cake Pops
    • cranberry walnut salad in a bowl
      Cranberry Walnut Feta Salad
    • candied maple walnuts in a jar
      Spiced Maple Walnuts
    • a pile of peppermint cake pops
      Peppermint Cake Pops
    • cherry mice on a cake stand
      Chocolate Covered Cherry Mice
    • french toast casserole
      Sourdough French Toast Casserole

    Most Popular

    • poolish-pizza-dough-round
      Poolish Pizza Dough
    • sourdough bread on a cooling rack
      Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread
    • baked-chile-rellenos
      Baked Chile Rellenos
    • ciabatta rolls on a plate and sliced in half
      Easy Ciabatta Rolls Recipe
    • stack of pink crumbl copycat cookies
      Crumbl Cookie Copycat Recipe
    • chocolate peanut butter rice krispie treats
      Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About

    COPYRIGHT © 2023 EMILY FABULOUS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    216 shares