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Colorful Mediterranean orzo salad with cherry tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and fresh herbs in a skillet.

Mediterranean Orzo

If you're craving a warm, comforting dish packed with Mediterranean flavors, this Mediterranean orzo is the perfect choice! Made with tender orzo pasta, briny olives, cherry tomatoes, and creamy feta cheese, this dish is a simple yet bold recipe that works as a main dish or side. The homemade basil lemon dressing adds the best flavor, making this a great recipe for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or summer picnics.
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: mediterranean, Orzo
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 5
Calories: 451kcal
Author: Lola Jay

Ingredients

For Orzo

  • 1.5 cups regular orzo or whole wheat orzo
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 cups of chicken broth (can add more as needed) or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option
  • 10 oz medley of cherry tomatoes sliced in half
  • ⅓ cup kalamata olives sliced
  • ⅓ cup castelvetrano sliced
  • 8 oz block feta cheese cubed or crumbled
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
  • ¼ cup fresh basil chopped to top
  • Salt to taste

For the Basil Lemon Dressing:

  • 1 cup basil
  • ¼ teaspoon oregano
  • Juice of 1 fresh lemon
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or salt to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Cook the Orzo

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
    Pouring olive oil into a frying pan in a bright kitchen with floral decor in the background.
  • Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
    Adding minced garlic to a pan with olive oil. Perfect start for a flavorful dish.
  • Stir in the 1.5 cups orzo and toast for 1 minute, stirring constantly but make sure it doesn't develop color.
    Toasting orzo pasta in a skillet with a wooden spatula on a wooden surface.
  • Pour in the 2 cups of chicken broth and bring to a simmer on medium heat. Add in the ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt (or salt to taste) and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes.
    Pouring spices into a pan with broth, perfect for enhancing flavor in cooking recipes.
  • Cook covered, stirring occasionally, until orzo is al dente and the liquid is mostly absorbed (about 8-10 minutes). Add more broth if needed. If you find orzo is cooked but there is too much liquid, you can strain it.
    Woman in floral top holding white pot, standing in a cozy kitchen with wooden cabinets and vibrant flowers.

Make the Basil Lemon Dressing

  • While the orzo is cooking, you can make the dressing. In a mixer, blend 1 cup of basil, fresh lemon juice from 1 lemon, 1 clove of minced garlic, ¼ cup of olive oil, ¼ teaspoon oregano, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper.
    Fresh basil, garlic, and seasonings in a blender ready to make homemade basil sauce on a wooden table.

Add the Ingredients

  • Slice the cherry tomatoes and olives.
    Slicing colorful cherry tomatoes on a wooden board. Fresh ingredients for a tasty meal.
  • Stir in sliced cherry tomatoes, sliced olives, and ¾ of the feta cheese.
    Colorful Mediterranean orzo with cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta being stirred in a pan.
  • Let cook for another 3-4 minutes on medium heat until the tomatoes are slightly softened slightly and warm.
    Skillet filled with orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese on a wooden surface.
  • Top with the fresh basil.
    Delicious orzo salad with cherry tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and fresh basil in a bowl.

Assemble & Serve

  • Drizzle with the basil lemon dressing and stir to combine. I also like to top with more feta cheese.
    Dressing being drizzled on Colorful orzo salad with cherry tomatoes, olives, feta, and herbs in a green bowl on a wooden table.
  • Serve warm as a main dish or side dish with grilled meats or seafood.
    Woman in colorful dress prepares a meal in a homey kitchen with flowers and wooden cabinets.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 451kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 926mg | Potassium: 301mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 941IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 270mg | Iron: 2mg