Description
A vibrant and flavorful salad featuring roasted vegetables, orzo pasta, and tangy feta cheese, perfect for summer picnics and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large Red Bell Pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large Orange or Yellow Bell Pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large Zucchini, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium Red Onion, sliced into thick wedges
- 1 pint Cherry or Grape Tomatoes, left whole
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
- 1 pound (16 oz) Orzo Pasta
- 1 English Cucumber, diced small
- 1/2 cup Kalamata Olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup Fresh Mint, chopped
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced finely or grated
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 8 oz Feta Cheese, crumbled from a block
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine chopped bell peppers, zucchini, and red onion. Drizzle with olive oil and season with oregano, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
- Spread the vegetables on the baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 20-25 minutes, adding cherry tomatoes halfway through.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package directions (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cool water.
- In a bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled orzo, roasted vegetables, diced cucumber, halved olives, and herbs. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta on top before serving.
Notes
You can prepare the vegetables and orzo a day in advance. Just mix with dressing and feta before serving. Feel free to add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Orzo Salad, Roasted Vegetables, Feta Cheese, Mediterranean Salad, Summer Recipes