Loaded with fresh roasted vegetables, shrimp, dill, and feta cheese this Mediterranean inspired lemony orzo salad is a quick and easy summer side dish and is fantastic served warm or chilled.
For this recipe, you will need: Orzo, zucchini, yellow squash, red bell pepper, red onion, feta cheese, fresh dill, and fresh lemon juice. Plus olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Summer is all about easy recipes with fresh ingredients and little to no fuss. My fridge is always overflowing with zucchini and yellow squash, and orzo is a staple in my pantry. Plus I always have feta cheese. I've declared my love for feta cheese enough on this blog, but let's just say if there isn't feta in my fridge this girl goes a little cray 😉
My mom has been making Ina Garten's Roasted Vegetable Orzo Salad for years, it is always a huge hit at every summer party. I used Ina's genius as inspiration for this orzo salad recipe and then tweaked it using a different combo of veggies, and added some roasted shrimp.
Last summer Jordan and I made this weekly. It is meant to be a light supper with enough leftover for a few lunches, but more than once we polished it off in one sitting.
How To Make Roasted Shrimp and Vegetable Orzo Salad
It couldn't be easier. Simply roast your shrimp and veggies (make sure to season well with olive oil, salt, and pepper), boil the orzo until it's al dente, and toss all together with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Don't forget the feta and dill!
Tips for Making Orzo Salad Taste Amazing:
- Boil orzo in well-salted water. This is your primary way to season the pasta, which is the base of the recipe, your water should taste like sea water – salty!
- Do NOT rinse the orzo. If you boil the orzo in well-salted water and then rinse it you will rinse off all of the salt!
- Dress the orzo while it is still warm. Toss the orzo with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper while it is still warm so all the yummy flavor coats the warm pasta.
- Add fresh herbs! I use fresh dill in this recipe but you could easily use basil, parsley, tarragon, or oregano.
What is Orzo?
Orzo is a small oval-shaped pasta a bit bigger than a grain of rice. You can find orzo at any major supermarket.
How Can You Make Gluten-Free Orzo Salad?
Orzo is sold in both gluten-free and traditional, so it's quite easy to make it gluten-free.
Substitutions for this Orzo Salad Recipe
- Omit the shrimp for a vegetarian version (I've done that many times!)
- Omit the cheese and shrimp and add some toasted pine nuts for a vegan version (I've also done this)
- Replace the dill with parsley, basil, or tarragon
- Add different veggies, eggplant and/or cauliflower would be delicious
- Swap the orzo for a different grain; farro, quinoa, or wheat berries would work well
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Serve This Roasted Shrimp and Vegetable Orzo Pasta Salad…
- As a side dish at a BBQ or picnic
- As a light summer supper with a green salad on the side
- As delicious lunch meal prep
However, you decide to serve it I know you will love it!
If you make this recipe don't forget to tag me on Instagram @abrapappa #abraskitchen
Mediterranean Roasted Shrimp and Vegetable Orzo Salad
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- On a large sheet pan toss together zucchini, yellow squash, red bell pepper, and red onion with 1 tbsp olive oil and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Roast in oven for a total of 30 minutes, stir a few times during cooking.
- Toss shrimp (that has been peeled and deveined) with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. When the vegetables have been in the oven for 23 minutes remove the sheet pan from the oven, push the veggies to one side and spread the shrimp out on the same sheet pan. Return to the oven for 7 minutes. Remove when finished and set aside.
- While the veggies and shrimp are in the oven prepare the orzo. Put a large pot of water on the stove to boil. Once the water has reached boiling add 1 tsp salt to the water. Cook the orzo according to package instructions (9-11 minutes) or until it is cooked al dente. Drain and pour into a large bowl. Toss with 2 tbsp olive oil and 1/4 cup lemon juice.
- Add the shrimp and the veggies to the orzo top with fresh dill and feta cheese. Serve warm or chilled. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
Substitutions for this Orzo Salad Recipe
- Omit the shrimp for a vegetarian version (I've done that many times!)
- Omit the cheese and shrimp and add some toasted pine nuts for a vegan version (I've also done this)
- Replace the dill with parsley, basil, or tarragon
- Add different veggies, eggplant and/or cauliflower would be delicious
- Swap the orzo for a different grain; farro, quinoa, or wheat berries would work well
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