Potluck Orzo Pasta Salad

Bright, refreshing, and irresistibly flavorful, this Potluck Orzo Pasta Salad is a standout dish perfect for any gathering! Featuring tender orzo pasta tossed with crisp cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, vibrant red bell peppers, and tangy crumbled feta cheese, this Mediterranean-inspired salad bursts with color and texture. Black olives, fresh parsley, and a zesty homemade dressing made with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and a touch of red wine vinegar tie all the flavors together beautifully. Ready in just 25 minutes and ideal for prepping ahead, this pasta salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, served chilled or at room temperature. Whether it's a summer barbecue, a family reunion, or a holiday potluck, this versatile side dish is sure to impress! Keywords: orzo pasta salad, potluck recipe, Mediterranean salad, summer side dish, make-ahead pasta salad.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1 medium cucumber
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 0.75 cup black olives (pitted and sliced)
• 0.5 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to the package instructions, typically 7-9 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta, then set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables. Dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Add all prepped vegetables to a large mixing bowl.

Step 3

To the bowl of vegetables, add the black olives, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped parsley. Stir gently to combine.

Step 4

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Toss until everything is evenly coated.

Step 6

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. This salad can be made up to a day in advance for even better flavor.

Step 7

Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Serve chilled or at room temperature, and enjoy at your potluck or gathering.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1091.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1978.4

Total Fat 118.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 3942.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 197.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.7g	0%
Total Sugars 20.6g
Protein 51.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 961.9mg	0%
Iron 17.4mg	0%
Potassium 1721.0mg	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: 51.7%

Protein: 10.0%

Carbs: 38.3%