Vegan Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad

Bright, refreshing, and bursting with vibrant flavors, this Vegan Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad is the ultimate plant-based dish for any occasion! Featuring tender orzo pasta tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, briny Kalamata olives, tender artichoke hearts, and a fragrant medley of fresh parsley and basil, this salad is a celebration of Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. A zesty lemon-garlic vinaigrette ties it all together, making it both light and deliciously flavorful. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect as a side dish, a light lunch, or a crowd-pleasing potluck addition. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a dish that’s as versatile as it is satisfying! Keywords: vegan orzo pasta salad, Mediterranean salad recipe, plant-based pasta salad, easy vegan side dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Orzo pasta
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 0.5 small Red onion
• 0.5 cup Kalamata olives
• 1 cup Artichoke hearts
• 0.25 cup Fresh parsley
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil
• 3 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes.

Step 2

While the orzo is cooking, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, finely chop the red onion, and slice the Kalamata olives.

Step 3

Drain and rinse the canned artichoke hearts, then roughly chop them.

Step 4

Finely chop the fresh parsley and basil.

Step 5

Once the orzo is cooked, drain it and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow it to drain thoroughly.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, artichoke hearts, parsley, and basil.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.

Step 8

Pour the dressing over the orzo salad, and gently toss everything together until well combined.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 10

Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld, or serve immediately if preferred.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1111.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2069.8

Total Fat 92.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.4g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2732.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 276.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 37.8g	0%
Total Sugars 18.0g
Protein 46.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 303.3mg	0%
Iron 18.1mg	0%
Potassium 1414.6mg	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: 39.2%

Protein: 8.8%

Carbs: 52.0%