Rainbow Orzo Salad – Vibrant Summer Side Dish

Brighten up your summer table with this stunning Rainbow Orzo Salad! Bursting with colorful vegetables, tender orzo pasta, and a zesty lemon-herb dressing, it’s the perfect vibrant side dish for any picnic, BBQ, or light lunch. Get ready to impress with this easy-to-make and incredibly flavorful salad that truly lives up to its name.

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 orange bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 English cucumber, diced
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced or finely diced
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped (optional)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Cook the orzo: Bring 2 cups of salted water or vegetable broth to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to package directions, usually 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Set aside to cool completely.
2. Prepare the vegetables: While the orzo cools, dice the red, orange, and yellow bell peppers. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Dice the English cucumber and finely dice or thinly slice the red onion. Chop the fresh parsley and mint.
3. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until well combined.
4. Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, diced bell peppers, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and red onion. Add the crumbled feta cheese (if using), chopped parsley, and chopped mint.
5. Dress and serve: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve immediately, or chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld. Enjoy!