This Orzo Pasta Salad with Spinach, Shrimp, Cucumbers, Feta Cheese and Garden Herbs and is the Ultimate Summer delight Salad. A delicate blend of lemon, shrimp, and herbs creates this Mediterranean classic no one can resist. These roasted shrimp and orzo salad with its tangy feta cheese atop is perfect when paired with any grilled meat- Hello Summer Barbeque! You can serve this salad on its own. You can never go wrong with this dish, I guarantee you.
This Orzo Pasta Salad with Shrimp and Feta Cheese is one of my favorite Mediterranean dish to make and specially during the summer. The great thing about this fresh and herb-filled pasta is that it’s easy to prepare, you can make this fresh and flavorful pasta in just a few minutes. Aside from being easy to make, this pasta is full of flavor and its based on a classics Ina Garten Shrimp Orzo Salad recipe , which means that you will love it.
I like to make this salad if possible a day ahead and I will tell you why. This small pasta taste better when gets to observe all of the flavors for at least a few hours. Because orzo is such a small pasta, it can be hard to give it flavor. To make your orzo is as savory as possible, you need to add a lots off salt to the boiling water and let it stay for at least few hours or a day before serving.
What is Orzo Pasta?
Okay, lets start with the simple question – “what is Orzo?” Many of you know that this is a type of pasta. It looks like a rice and acts like a rice, quickly absorbing up liquid. It even has the look and feel of rice but it is a pasta. This is one of my favorite recipes to make.
I have made this salad for my husband, parties, barbeques, social gatherings; you name it. It always receives great reviews. We love the pasta salad and the dressing is amazing! Its simply delicious and it is the perfect salad course or side dish for the summer.
You can eat orzo hot or cold. It makes a good substitution for risotto rice and vice-versa. It only takes about 8-9 minutes to boil a cup of orzo. While orzo is not typically gluten-free you may be able to find gluten-free varieties in your local grocery store.
Most pasta salads can be easily adjusted to match your taste. You can cook the orzo in chicken broth instead of water for a heartier flavor, add leftover rotisserie chicken or some of your favorite veggies and more.
This Orzo Pasta Salad with Shrimp and Feta Cheese is the ultimate summer salad. You can keep it in the fridge covered for up to 4 days. Actually, it tastes better on the next day because the orzo absorbs all the flavors. After all, everything tastes better on the next day!
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE?
- Budget-friendly
- Ready in 30 minutes
- Perfect meal it self
- Perfect side dish for parties and big gatherings
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
- Follow the packaged instructions to cook the orzo
- Add a salt to the pasta water– Because orzo is such a small pasta, it can be hard to give it flavor. To make your orzo is as savory as possible, you need to add a lots off salt to the boiling water
- Let the dish sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. This step adds richness and depth by giving flavors time to marinate.
- Shrimp can overcook easily, so keep an eye on it.- Takes only 4-5 minutes to cook shellfish
- Try different cheese– Goat cheese is a very good substitute for feta cheese and amazing combination with the fresh dill and lemon zest.
- Use grilled Shrimp– During the summer- make this salad with a grilled shrimp, just a little bit of smokiness is added to this salad
- Add your dressing while the orzo is still warm– That way it will absorb all the delicious flavors.
Orzo Pasta Salad with Shrimp and Feta Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 3/4 pound orzo pasta
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. olive oil
for the Shrimp:
- 1- 11/2 pounds shrimp-peeled and deveined (16-18) - uncooked
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- salt - to taste
- black pepper - to taste
- 1/4 tsp. onion powder
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
For the Salad:
- 3-4 green onions - chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion - small diced
- 1 English cucumber - small diced
- 2 cups fresh spinach - roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley - finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh dill - finely chopped
- 1 cup feta cheese - Bulgarian feta-cut to small cubes
Instructions
To cook the Orzo Pasta:
- Fill a large pot with water and 1 tablespoons of Kosher salt and 1 tbsp. olive oil and bring it to a boil. Add the orzo and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until it is al dente, about 9 minutes.
Make the Salad Dressing:
- While the orzo is cooking, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl.
- Pour dressing over the cooked orzo while is warm and set it aside.
To cook the Shrimp:
- Place shrimp, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl and give it a gentle toss.
- Transfer the shrimp onto a sheet pan in a single layer. Roast in the oven until it is cooked through, 5-6 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the oven.
To assemble the salad:
- Into the bowl with orzo, add cooked shrimp, green onions, dill, parsley, cucumber, lemon zest and red onion. Give it a toss. Add feta on top. Taste for seasoning and add in if necessary.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour for flavors to blend.
- To bring it to life add a spoon of olive oil.
Notes
- Follow the packaged instructions to cook the orzo
- Add a salt to the pasta water– Because orzo is such a small pasta, it can be hard to give it flavor. To make your orzo is as savory as possible, you need to add a lots off salt to the boiling water
- Let the dish sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. This step adds richness and depth by giving flavors time to marinate.
- Shrimp can overcook easily, so keep an eye on it.- Takes only 4-5 minutes to cook shellfish
- Try different cheese– Goat cheese is a very good substitute for feta cheese and amazing combination with the fresh dill and lemon zest.
- Use grilled Shrimp– During the summer- make this salad with a grilled shrimp, just a little bit of smokiness is added to this salad
- Add your dressing while the orzo is still warm– That way it will absorb all the delicious flavors.