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Veggie Rainbow Orzo Salad

A vibrant and colorful salad packed with fresh veggies and orzo, drizzled with a zesty dressing, making it a delightful and nutritious dish for any occasion.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Salad Base
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 piece bell pepper, diced
  • 1 piece cucumber, diced
  • 1 piece carrot, grated
  • 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
Dressing
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • to taste Salt and pepper

Method
 

Cooking Orzo
  1. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of vegetable broth to a boil. Add 1 cup of orzo pasta and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 8-10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking. Once tender, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Preparing Veggies
  1. While the orzo cooks, wash and chop your vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the bell pepper and cucumber, grate the carrot, and finely chop the red onion and parsley.
Mixing Ingredients
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, carrot, corn, red onion, and parsley.
Dressing the Salad
  1. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice over the salad. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, then mix well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Chilling and Serving
  1. Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving. This will help the flavors meld beautifully together.

Notes

For substitutions, you can use zucchini, snap peas, or any favorite seasonal veggies. Dress the salad just before serving to keep veggies crisp. Store leftovers in an airtight container; salad will keep well for up to 3 days.