This strawberry orzo pasta salad features some of my favorite Mediterranean flavors. So little effort to the perfect potluck salad!

Orzo salad with strawberries and feta cheese

I think of orzo pasta as the ingredient for last-minute, intuitive cooks. When in doubt, add orzo. Right?!

For some reason, I most often use it with shrimp, like in this tomato braised shrimp or this Mediterranean shrimp orzo soup. Or, as a vegetarian but filling meal, as with my creamy orzo with garlic, parmesan, and blistered tomatoes. But a common, and perfect, place for orzo pasta is salad.

And when it’s sandal season, my go-to is this strawberry orzo pasta salad.

Bowl of Mediterranean Strawberry Orzo Pasta Salad garnished with feta cheese

This orzo pasta salad is one of those happy dishes I love to bring to potluck gatherings or add next to grilled chicken or baked trout. And I know, I just told you that not every Mediterranean salad must have feta cheese, this one does–a good bit of it!

You will find that the feta and lemony vinaigrette –made with our Early Harvest extra virgin olive oil— are a little revelation against the sweetness of strawberries!

Tips for this Mediterranean strawberry pasta salad

This orzo pasta salad is the simplest of recipes, but there is one trick that makes all the difference: mix the hot pasta immediately with the lemon vinaigrette, shallots, and herbs. (The same tip goes Italian Pasta Salad, Greek Pasta Salad, or any good pasta salad for that matter.) Let them sit for a little while–up to one hour at room temperature–so that the flavors blend.

Close-up of orzo salad with strawberries and feta cheese

And as is the case with this Mediterranean olive oil pasta, it is important to use quality extra virgin olive oil. Look for organic extra virgin olive oil that’s been cold pressed and with the lowest acidity you can find. I highly recommend our Early Harvest EVOO for this one.

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Mediterranean Strawberry Orzo Pasta Salad | The Mediterranean Dish. BEST orzo salad you will have! Packed with Mediterranean flavors from fresh herbs, lemony vinaigrette and feta cheese. A must try! See it on TheMediterraneanDish.com

Mediterranean Strawberry Orzo Pasta Salad


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5 from 4 reviews

Description

This strawberry orzo pasta salad features some of my favorite Mediterranean flavors. So little effort to the perfect potluck salad!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz baby broccoli, tough ends removed
  • Early Harvest Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt
  • 1 1/2 cup orzo pasta
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 1 cup minced scallions
  • 1 cup packed fresh chopped parsley
  • 1520 fresh basil leaves, torn
  •  2 cups baby arugula
  •  8 oz. strawberries, sliced
  • 3/4 lb feta cheese, cut into cubes or small chunks

Lemon Vinaigrette  


Instructions

  • Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Slice baby broccoli in half length-wise, or cut into even sized pieces. Place on a baking sheet and toss with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Roast in heated oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside. (optional step, you can use raw broccoli, if you like)
  • While broccoli is roasting, cook the pasta. Fill a large pot with water; add salt and olive oil. Bring to a boil and add orzo. Cook to al dente (9-11 minutes). Drain. Transfer the hot pasta to a mixing bowl.
  •  Quickly make the lemon vinaigrette. Place all vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl, whisk vigorously to combine.
  • Pour the vinaigrette on top of the hot pasta. Add the shallots, scallions, parsley, basil. Toss to combine. Set aside to cool (if you have time, leave it for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend).
  • Once the pasta has cooled, add in the arugula, roasted baby broccoli and strawberries. Toss gently to combine. Finally top with feta cheese chunks. Again, toss very gently; the cheese can mostly remain on top. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

More Recipes to Try:

Garlic-Tomato Braised Shrimp Orzo

Mediterranean Roasted Tomato Nachos

Baked Rigatoni with Tomatoes and Eggplant

Three Bean Salad 

Mediterranean Strawberry Orzo Pasta Salad | The Mediterranean Dish. BEST orzo salad you will have! Packed with Mediterranean flavors from fresh herbs, lemony vinaigrette and feta cheese. A must try! See it on TheMediterraneanDish.com

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I’m Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I’m all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you’re here…
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Comments

  1. Kris says:

    I added salmon and quinoa to this dish. This is my go to summer lunch!






  2. Fran B says:

    Hi Suzy – superb receipts – I have tweaked it a little by dropping the broccoli and adding in mango and blueberries instead – thanks for such a versatile receipe!
    Fran B

  3. Charlotte says:

    I’ve made this several times and it is absolutely wonderful! Really delicious, bright, and happy. I’m excited to make it with homegrown strawberries in the summer!

  4. ellen reynolds says:

    “Strawberries and orzo?” I thought to myself. It turned out to be a delicious combo. Love this for lunch.

    1. Suzy says:

      So glad!

  5. Daniella says:

    Hello, I just wanted to ask about the yield because it was confusing me. The recipe says yield = 6, which I am assuming mean 6 servings. But does that mean 6 oz or what? I was just confused about the quantity the recipe produces. Thanks!

    1. Suzy Karadsheh says:

      Hi Daniella. This recipe will easily feed 6 people or or. The portion size would be a small bowl per person.

  6. Jacinthe St-Pierre says:

    Hello
    What do you mean but 1 1/2 tsp salad
    fresh lemon juice
    1/2 cup quality extra virgin olive oil
    1 tsp honey
    1 1/2 tsp salad
    1 tsp pepper
    Merci

    1. Admin says:

      Thanks for catching the typo, that is 1 1/2 tsp salt. We’ve made the change.

  7. Elaine says:

    Please put the calorie count on your recipies.

    1. Admin says:

      Thank you for stopping in, Elaine. We are looking into ways to do this. Thanks.

  8. Emily says:

    This sounds so delicious. It will go perfectly with our 4th of July meal. Thank you.

  9. Martin says:

    Hi, I am very excited to try this. I have a question though. For the lemon vinaigrette it says 1-1/2 tsp salad? Perhaps you meant salt?

    1. Admin says:

      Hey, Martin! Thanks so much for catching the typo. It is meant to say “salt” not “salad.” We’ve made the correction. Enjoy!

  10. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says:

    Now this looks perfect!! I was just telling my husband the other day I need to find an orzo salad for an upcoming BBQ we are having. I think this just might be it!! Printed!!






    1. Suzy Karadsheh says:

      Gloria, thank you! Hope you give it a try soon!

  11. Amanda says:

    I have some gluten free orzo that is just begging to be used. I never thought of adding roasted broccoli to a salad. I’m sure it adds to the depth of flavor in the salad. Love your photography, too.






  12. Lisa | Garlic & Zest says:

    This salad is absolutely gorgeous – I love the way you styled it! And the photos are lovely!






  13. jenn - peas and crayons says:

    I’m a huge fan of strawberries in savory dishes – this is such a lovely combo! Can’t wait to try it!

    1. Suzy Karadsheh says:

      Totally agree! Thanks for stopping in.

  14. Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen says:

    I love the flavors in this orzo salad. That Lemon Vinaigrette dressing sounds awesome and would be delicious on multiple types of salads!

    1. Suzy Karadsheh says:

      Thank you! I use this vinaigrette often.