Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Rest Time 30 mins
Total Time 55 mins
Cooking Method:
Cuisine: ,
Courses: , ,
Difficulty: Beginner
Cooking Temp: 100  C
Servings: 4
Best Season: Summer
Description

This Chilled Orzo Salad with Lemon & Snap Peas is a vibrant and refreshing pasta dish perfect for warm days. Packed with tender orzo, crisp snap peas, fresh herbs, and a zesty lemon dressing, this salad is quick, easy, and ideal for picnics, potlucks, or light lunches. Serve it cold and enjoy the burst of spring and summer flavors in every bite.

Ingredients
    For the Salad Base:
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 1.5 cups sugar snap peas trimmed and halved
  • 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 0.25 cup red onion finely diced
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 0.25 cup fresh mint chopped
  • 0.25 cup feta cheese crumbled
    • For the Lemon Dressing:
  • 3 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 0.5 tsp honey
  • 0.25 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
Instructions
    Cook the Orzo
  1. 1
    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until al dente (about 8–10 minutes). In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the snap peas to the same pot. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool quickly. Set aside.
    2. Prepare the Lemon Dressing
  2. 2
    In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, zest, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until emulsified and smooth.
    3. Combine the Salad
  3. 3
    In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo and snap peas, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and mint. Drizzle with the lemon dressing and toss until everything is evenly coated.
    4. Add Feta and Chill
  4. 4
    Gently fold in crumbled feta cheese. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
    5. Serve Cold
  5. 5
    Give the salad a final toss before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired. Serve cold and enjoy!
Note

Make-Ahead: You can make this salad a day in advance. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Protein Boost: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for extra protein.

Vegan Option: Omit feta or replace with a plant-based cheese.

Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Do not freeze.

Optional Add-ins: Cucumbers, olives, or roasted red peppers for added texture and color.

Keywords: healthy, quick, easy, spring salad, lemon orzo
Read it online: https://petitepanini.com/recipe/chilled-orzo-salad-with-lemon-snap-peas-recipe/