Summer Orzo Pasta Salad

This Summer Orzo Pasta Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish perfect for warm weather gatherings! Featuring tender orzo pasta tossed with fresh vegetables and a zesty lemon vinaigrette, this salad is perfect for picnics, barbecues and outdoor celebrations!

The Best summer Orzo Pasta Salad

This orzo pasta salad is just what you need this summer! It is so fresh and flavorful, and perfect to bring to your next summer gathering! The homemade lemon vinaigrette really brings it all together with a bright, zesty flavor.

This salad has all the best summer veggies in it, too! From bright red tomatoes to fresh corn and crisp cucumbers, you can really take advantage of summer’s most beautiful produce. Make this summer orzo pasta salad for a simple lunch with a protein like grilled chicken or air fryer salmon, or as a side dish with all of your favorite barbecue dishes!

Ingredients Needed

• Orzo: Orzo in a small, rice shaped pasta. I like to use a small pasta shape like orzo here, but if you don’t have orzo on hand, you can use ditalini or even macaroni elbows.
• Bell Peppers: I added one orange and one red bell pepper! You can add whichever kind of bell peppers you have on hand.
• Onion: A bit of red onions adds a nice bite! If red onions are too strong for you, you can try adding shallots instead.
• Cucumber: If using English cucumber, there is no need to peel! Otherwise, peel the cucumber before dicing it and adding it to the pasta salad.
• Corn: It wouldn’t be a summer orzo pasta salad without corn! You can use fresh corn, canned corn, or frozen and thawed corn. Fresh is best, of course!
• Tomatoes: I like to add cherry tomatoes but you can add any kind of tomatoes, diced into bite sized pieces.
• Basil: Basil is a bright, flavorful herb that adds loads of flavor here!
• Green Onion: Add some green onions for extra flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Serve with parmesan cheese on top!
• Lemon Vinaigrette: To make an easy homemade lemon vinaigrette, simply mix together olive oil, lemon juice and zest, Italian seasoning, dijon mustard, salt and pepper, and fresh garlic!

How to Make summer orzo pasta salad

1. Cook Orzo: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and heavily salt the water. Add in the orzo and cook according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.

2. Cut and Add Veggies to Bowl: Add the bell peppers, onions, cucumbers, corn, tomatoes, basil and green onions to a large bowl. Add in the cooked orzo and toss to combine.

3. Make the Dressing: Combine olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, mustard, garlic, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Add more salt and pepper to taste.

4. Combine: Pour the dressing on to the orzo salad and toss to coat everything in the dressing. Serve immediately with parmesan cheese on top or store in the fridge for up to 4 days! Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Always salt your pasta water! This helps to flavor the whole dish and makes such a difference.
• Make your summer orzo pasta salad ahead of time! Pasta salad is a wonderful dish to make ahead of time. You can prep the pasta salad the day before and allow it to sit in the fridge until serving. I recommend adding the basil before serving though, as it may wilt in the dressing.

More Summertime Recipes to Try

• BLT Pasta Salad
• Zucchini Pizza Bites
• Corn Salsa
• Easy Bruschetta
• Panzanella Salad