Refreshing Orzo Salad with Spinach and Tomato 🍅🌿

This vibrant Orzo Salad is the perfect dish for a warm day or a potluck gathering. With its playful flavors and colorful ingredients, it’s light yet satisfying. The combination of tender orzo, fresh spinach, juicy tomatoes, and a zesty lemon dressing makes it irresistibly refreshing. This salad can be served alone or as a delightful side dish!

Ingredients

For the salad

• 1 cup of orzo pasta
• 2 cups of fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup of feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup of red onion, finely diced
• 1/4 cup of black olives, pitted and sliced (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

For the dressing

• 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
• 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the Orzo: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.

🥄 Rinsing the orzo will help cool it down quickly and prevent it from sticking together.

2. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.

🌟 Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat!

3. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, chopped spinach, halved cherry tomatoes, red onion, black olives, and feta cheese.

4. Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.

5. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve chilled or at room temperature.

🧊 This salad can be made ahead of time! Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve for best freshness.

Variations

• Protein-Packed: Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for a heartier meal.
• Mediterranean Twist: Incorporate artichoke hearts or roasted red peppers.
• Herbal Delight: Swap spinach for arugula or add basil for a different flavor profile.
• Gluten-free: Substitute orzo with quinoa or a gluten-free pasta variety for a safe option.

Enjoy this deliciously simple Orzo Salad with Spinach and Tomato, and let its freshness shine at your table! 🌈🥗