Roasted Vegetable and Orzo Salad

Roasted Vegetable and Orzo Salad

Mia

This vibrant Roasted Vegetable and Orzo Salad is a celebration of Mediterranean flavors and wholesome ingredients. Inspired by the sun-drenched cuisines of Greece and Italy, this dish combines tender orzo pasta with a colorful medley of roasted vegetables including bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and red onion. The roasting process caramelizes the vegetables, intensifying their natural sweetness and creating delightful crispy edges that contrast beautifully with the soft, rice-shaped pasta.

What makes this salad truly special is its versatility and nutritional profile. The orzo provides satisfying complex carbohydrates, while the abundance of roasted vegetables delivers fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Dressed in a bright, zesty lemon and olive oil vinaigrette infused with fresh herbs and garlic, every bite is a harmonious blend of tangy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. Crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy, salty element that ties everything together, while toasted pine nuts provide a delicate crunch and nutty richness.

Perfect as a main course for dinner or as a substantial side dish, this salad embodies the Mediterranean Diet's emphasis on plant-based eating, healthy fats, and fresh, minimally processed ingredients. It can be served warm, at room temperature, or chilled, making it an excellent choice for meal prep or entertaining. The combination of textures and flavors ensures that this dish is as satisfying as it is nourishing.

Whether you're following the Mediterranean Diet or simply seeking a delicious, wholesome meal, this Roasted Vegetable and Orzo Salad delivers on all fronts. It's a dish that proves healthy eating doesn't mean sacrificing flavor, and it's sure to become a regular feature in your dinner rotation.

Nutrition

55 minutes
None servings
385 calories
Fat 20.00g
Carbs 42.00g
Protein 12.00g

Ingredients

1.5 cupsorzo pasta, uncooked
1 largered bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 largeyellow bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 mediumzucchini, cut into 1/2-inch half-moons
1 mediumred onion, cut into wedges
2 cupscherry tomatoes, halved
6 tbspextra virgin olive oil, divided
1 tspsalt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
3 clovesgarlic, minced
1 largelemon, juiced and zested
1/3 cupfresh basil, chopped
1/3 cupfresh parsley, chopped
1 cupfeta cheese, crumbled
1/3 cuppine nuts, toasted
1 tspdried oregano

Equipment

Large pot
Cutting board
Parchment paper
Oven
Whisk
measuring spoons
measuring cups
large mixing bowl
knife
large serving bowl
colander
small bowl
two large baking sheets

16:8 Diet

This balanced, nutrient-dense meal is perfect for the 8-hour eating window of the 16:8 diet, providing sustained energy from complex carbohydrates, protein from cheese and nuts, healthy fats from olive oil, and abundant vitamins and fiber from vegetables to maintain satiety.

80/20 Diet

This recipe fits the 80/20 principle perfectly, with over 80% of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods (vegetables, whole grain pasta, olive oil, fresh herbs) while allowing for the 20% indulgence of feta cheese and pine nuts that add flavor and satisfaction.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with whole, minimally processed ingredients including fresh vegetables, whole grain pasta, extra virgin olive oil, real feta cheese, and fresh herbs—avoiding all artificial additives, preservatives, and refined ingredients.

Flexitarian Diet

This plant-forward recipe emphasizes vegetables as the star ingredient with whole grain orzo as the base, while including small amounts of feta cheese and pine nuts for protein and healthy fats, perfectly embodying the flexitarian approach of primarily plant-based eating.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe can be made gluten-free by substituting the orzo pasta with gluten-free orzo or another gluten-free pasta alternative, while all other ingredients (vegetables, olive oil, feta, pine nuts, herbs) are naturally gluten-free.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy recipe emphasizes extra virgin olive oil for monounsaturated fats, abundant antioxidant-rich vegetables, whole grain pasta for fiber, and uses minimal cheese while avoiding saturated fats, processed ingredients, and excessive sodium.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense salad is ideal for eating windows during intermittent fasting, providing complex carbohydrates from orzo, protein from feta and pine nuts, healthy fats from olive oil, and abundant fiber from vegetables to promote satiety and stable blood sugar throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This satisfying and balanced recipe honors both nutrition and pleasure, featuring a variety of textures and flavors from roasted vegetables, creamy feta, crunchy pine nuts, and tender pasta, making it perfect for intuitive eating without restriction or guilt.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe is a quintessential Mediterranean dish, featuring extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat, abundant colorful vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes), whole grain orzo pasta, fresh herbs (basil, parsley, oregano), and feta cheese in moderation. The emphasis on plant-based ingredients, healthy fats, and minimal processing perfectly aligns with Mediterranean Diet principles.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is ideal for mindful eating with its diverse colors, textures, and flavors—from the caramelized sweetness of roasted vegetables to the creamy saltiness of feta and the delicate crunch of toasted pine nuts—encouraging slow, sensory appreciation of each component.

Vegetarian Diet

This completely vegetarian recipe contains no meat, poultry, or fish, while providing balanced nutrition through whole grain orzo, protein-rich feta cheese and pine nuts, and an abundance of roasted vegetables for vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

Instructions

1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.

2 min
2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cut bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of olive oil, then season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano.

3

Toss the vegetables until they are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings. Spread them in a single layer across the two prepared baking sheets, making sure not to overcrowd them.

2 min
4

Roast the vegetables in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they are tender and lightly caramelized.

28 min
5
10 min

While the vegetables are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to package directions, usually 8-9 minutes, until al dente.

6

Drain the cooked orzo in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water to stop the cooking process. Transfer to a large serving bowl and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking. Toss gently.

2 min
7

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to create the dressing.

2 min
8

Once the vegetables are done roasting, remove them from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes.

5 min
9

Add the roasted vegetables to the bowl with the orzo. Pour the lemon dressing over the mixture and toss everything together gently but thoroughly to combine.

1 min
10

Fold in the chopped basil and parsley, mixing until the herbs are evenly distributed throughout the salad.

1 min
11

Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese, reserving a small amount for garnish if desired.

12

Sprinkle the toasted pine nuts over the top of the salad. Garnish with any reserved feta cheese and additional fresh herbs if desired. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

1 min

Frequently Asked Questions