This Summer Orzo Pasta Salad is fresh, colorful, and bursting with crisp vegetables, sweet corn, and a bright lemon-Dijon vinaigrette. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect make-ahead side dish for BBQs, potlucks, or easy weekday lunches.
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Summer Orzo Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
This Summer Orzo Pasta Salad is fresh, colorful, and bursting with crisp vegetables, sweet corn, and a bright lemon-Dijon vinaigrette. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect make-ahead side dish for BBQs, potlucks, or easy weekday lunches.
Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo, uncooked
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium orange bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 1/2 cups corn (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup tomatoes, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup green onion, chopped
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and heavily salt it. Add orzo and cook according to package directions until tender.
- Drain the orzo and set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine diced bell peppers, red onion, cucumber, corn, tomatoes, basil, and green onions.
- Add the cooked orzo to the bowl and toss gently.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately topped with parmesan cheese, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Notes
Salt your pasta water well for the best flavor.
If using frozen corn, thaw and drain before adding.
For meal prep, reserve a tablespoon of dressing to refresh the salad before serving.
Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for extra protein.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
Nutrition
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Protein: 7 g
