Dana's Orzo Pepper Pasta Salad

Bright, colorful, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors, Dana's Orzo Pepper Pasta Salad is the perfect dish for any occasion. Tender orzo pasta forms a hearty base, complemented by vibrant bell peppers, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and tangy crumbles of feta cheese. A zesty homemade dressing made with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and a hint of honey ties everything together, while fresh parsley and a touch of oregano add an herby finish. This quick and easy recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for meal prep, picnics, or potlucks. Serve this refreshing pasta salad cold or at room temperature for a flavorful, crowd-pleasing side dish that celebrates simple yet bold ingredients.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups orzo pasta
• 3 medium bell peppers (red, yellow, orange)
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 small cucumber
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley
• 0.5 cup feta cheese
• 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 clove garlic
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Step 2

While the orzo is cooking, dice the bell peppers into small bite-sized pieces. Finely dice the red onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Peel, deseed, and dice the cucumber. Chop the parsley. Crumble the feta cheese if it's in a block.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, grated garlic clove, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. This is your dressing.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, diced bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and parsley.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 6

Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese, being careful not to break it up too much.

Step 7

Taste the salad and adjust the salt or pepper, if needed. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1182.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1972.9

Total Fat 79.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 66.8mg	0%
Sodium 2066.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 274.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.9g	0%
Total Sugars 35.1g
Protein 55.3g	0%

Vitamin D 12IU	0%
Calcium 535.4mg	0%
Iron 14.8mg	0%
Potassium 1590.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.1%

Protein: 10.9%

Carbs: 54.0%