Lemon Herb Orzo Pasta Salad with Grilled Halloumi Cherry Tomatoes

Lemon Herb Orzo Pasta Salad With Grilled Halloum

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:15 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) orzo pasta
• 1 pint (570ml) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 4 ounces (115g) halloumi cheese, cut into ½-inch thick slices
• ½ cup (120ml) Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• ½ cup (115g) crumbled feta cheese
• ¼ cup (60ml) thinly sliced red onion
• ¼ cup (60ml) chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup (60ml) chopped fresh mint
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions:

• Cook orzo according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
• Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, and salt in a small bowl or jar.
• Preheat grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Brush halloumi slices with olive oil. Grill for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and slightly softened. Let cool slightly, then cut into cubes.
• In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo, halved cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, sliced red onion, parsley, and mint.
• Pour the lemon-herb dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
• Gently fold in the grilled halloumi cubes.
• Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:380 calories

Fat:20g

Fiber:3g

Recipe Info

Category:Salad

Cuisine:Mediterranean

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a cookout that's a bit more "cheers" than "meh"? Let's talk side dishes for cookout ! Honestly, is there anything better than a delicious summer pasta salad? This recipe is zesty, fresh, and it includes grilled halloumi.

Brief Overview

This Mediterranean pasta salad is a flavour bomb. It's super easy to throw together. It's ready in about 35 minutes.

It serves 6-8 people, so perfect for sharing. This recipe has roots in the Greek and Italian cultures.

Main Benefits

This cookout salad recipe is packed with protein and flavour! It is perfect for a summer BBQ or potluck side dish .

What makes it special? The grilled halloumi. Think salty, squeaky cheese against a bright lemon dressing.

Let’s Make Some Magic With Summer Flavors

Ready for the ingredients? This salad is all about fresh flavors. It will impress all your friends with your great summer side dish ideas.

Here's what you'll need: orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, halloumi cheese (the star!), Kalamata olives, feta, red onion, and fresh herbs.

Oh my gosh, sounds amazing. You can also prepare the sides ahead of time for a seamless cookout.

Ingredients

• For the Pasta Salad:
  • 1 pound (450g) orzo pasta
  • 1 pint (570ml) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 ounces (115g) halloumi cheese, cut into ½-inch thick slices
  • ½ cup (120ml) Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • ½ cup (115g) crumbled feta cheese
  • ¼ cup (60ml) thinly sliced red onion
  • ¼ cup (60ml) chopped fresh parsley
  • ¼ cup (60ml) chopped fresh mint
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• For the Lemon-Herb Dressing:
  • ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Easy Equipment

You will only need a few items to make this recipe. You need a pot to cook the pasta. You will need a grill pan to grill halloumi.

You will also need bowls for mixing.

• Large pot
• Colander
• Grill pan or outdoor grill
• Large bowl
• Small bowl or jar (for dressing)
• Tongs

Instructions

1. Cook orzo following the package instructions.
2. Whisk dressing ingredients together.
3. Grill halloumi until golden.
4. Combine salad ingredients.
5. Add dressing.
6. Fold in halloumi.
7. Season and chill.

Don't forget the little touches. A grating of lemon zest can take the salad to the next level. Season with pepper. Enjoy!

Alright, let's talk about what you'll need to whip up this sensational Lemon Herb Orzo Pasta Salad! Honestly, it's mostly store cupboard staples, but quality really shines through, especially with the halloumi.

We are set to create one of the best cookout side dishes you ever tried!

Ingredients & Equipment

This pasta salad is a great addition to any BBQ side dishes easy ideas.

Main Ingredients

Here's the breakdown of what you'll need. I've included both US and metric measurements.

• Orzo pasta: 1 pound (450g) . Any brand will do, but good quality pasta really makes a difference.
• Cherry tomatoes: 1 pint (570ml) , halved. Get the ripest, juiciest ones you can find.
• Halloumi cheese: 4 ounces (115g) , cut into ½-inch thick slices. Look for a block that feels firm. Halloumi is the star for Halloumi recipes for grilling lovers.
• Kalamata olives: ½ cup (120ml) , pitted and halved.
• Feta cheese: ½ cup (115g) , crumbled.
• Red onion: ¼ cup (60ml) , thinly sliced.
• Fresh parsley: ¼ cup (60ml) , chopped.
• Fresh mint: ¼ cup (60ml) , chopped. The fresh herbs make it one of the cookout salad recipes you'll keep using!
• Lemon zest: Zest of 1 lemon .
• Black pepper: To taste.
• Extra virgin olive oil: ¼ cup (60ml) .
• Lemon juice: Juice of 1 lemon .
• Red wine vinegar: 2 tablespoons .
• Dijon mustard: 1 tablespoon .
• Garlic: 1 clove , minced.
• Dried oregano: ½ teaspoon .
• Salt: ½ teaspoon .

Seasoning Notes

A good herb mix is essential. The oregano adds that classic Med flavour. Don't be shy with the lemon zest.

It really elevates everything. A touch of red pepper flakes would give it a nice kick if you like it spicy.

As Summer side dish ideas go, this is so easy to change up!

Honestly, if you don't have red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar will do in a pinch. For the herbs, dried will work.

Just halve the amount as dried herbs are more concentrated. These combinations are ideal for quick substitution options . This recipes can be modified to be one of the best Potluck side dishes .

Equipment Needed

Nothing fancy here!

• Large pot.
• Colander.
• Grill pan or outdoor grill.
• Large bowl.
• Small bowl or jar (for dressing).
• Tongs.

A grill pan is handy if you don't have an outdoor grill. You can achieve perfect Grilled vegetable sides for BBQ with it! No grill pan? A regular frying pan will do.

Just make sure it's hot! And consider making it one of your favourite Make ahead cookout sides .

That's all there is to it! Let’s start cooking, shall we?

Alright, let's fire up the (metaphorical) grill and plan some smashing side dishes for cookout ! Think Pimms, cricket on the radio, and sunshine.

I've created a crowd-pleasing pasta salad, because, honestly, a cookout without pasta salad is just sad.

Lemon Herb Orzo Pasta Salad: A Cookout Star

This zesty orzo salad is perfect for any BBQ. It's got Mediterranean flavours, a light dressing, sweet tomatoes, and salty grilled halloumi.

It preps quick, travels well, and can even be made ahead. This is a true cookout hero, seriously! Plus, think of all the lovely cookout salad recipes you can explore using this as a jumping-off point!

Prep Like a Pro

• Essential mise en place : Halve the tomatoes, crumble the feta, chop those herbs. Honestly, get everything ready before you start cooking. It makes life SO much easier.
• Time-saving tips: You know those salad spinners? They are amazing for getting your herbs dry! Also, consider buying pre-crumbled feta.
• Safety: Remember to wash your hands and veggies. You don't want to ruin the BBQ vibe with a poorly tummy!

Let's Get Cooking: The Step-by-Step

1. Cook that orzo: Follow package directions for al dente orzo. Then drain it and rinse with cold water.
2. Mix up the dressing: Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon, garlic, oregano, and salt.
3. Grill the halloumi: Grill slices for 2- 3 minutes per side on medium-high heat. We want it golden brown. Then, cube it.
4. Assemble the salad: Combine orzo, tomatoes, olives, feta, red onion, parsley, and mint.
5. Dress it up: Pour the dressing over the salad. Toss gently.
6. Add that halloumi: Gently fold in those grilled halloumi cubes.
7. Chill time: Season with pepper. Chill for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. This also makes it a perfect dish for Make ahead cookout sides .

Pro Tips for Pasta Perfection

• Don't overcook the orzo! Al dente is key. A little bite is what you are going for.
• Chill the halloumi before grilling. Honestly, it stops it from sticking to the grill and falling apart. Also try these tips when making other Halloumi recipes for grilling .
• Avoid Soggy Bottoms: Dress just before serving. It saves you from the dish being all soggy the next day.
• Try variations: for a change, why not try a Mediterranean pasta salad variation?

This is such an easy and reliable recipe, it would be the perfect potluck side dishes , too! Plus, you can add some grilled vegetable sides for BBQ for an extra layer of flavor.

Trust me, this dish is a total winner. Summer side dish ideas don’t get much better than this! I love this recipe so much, and I'm sure you will too!

Enjoy creating this BBQ side dishes easy recipe!

Alright, let's talk shop about this Lemon Herb Orzo Pasta Salad! This is not your nan's pasta salad, trust me.

It's a total winner for any BBQ side dishes easy situation. It looks amazing, tastes incredible, and is so simple to throw together.

Plus, it's great for making ahead which makes it perfect as one of the make ahead cookout sides .

Recipe Notes to Elevate Your Side Dishes Game

Here are a few cheeky pointers to make your salad extra special! It will surely be one of the best cookout side dishes on the menu.

Serving Suggestions: Let's Get Plating, Shall We?

Presentation is key, right? I always plate mine on a big platter, and go crazy sprinkling extra feta and fresh herbs on top.

It looks so inviting! Think sunshine on a plate. This also makes a delicious addition to the cookout salad recipes .

Consider serving it with something like grilled chicken or even veggie burgers. A cold glass of Pimms or maybe elderflower presse is a perfect match.

Also a corn on the cob makes a perfect pair for a complete meal.

Storage Tips: Keeping it Fresh, Mate!

Honestly, this pasta salad is even better the next day. The flavours just meld together beautifully. Just like the flavors of the Mediterranean pasta salad .

• Refrigeration: Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days .
• Freezing: I wouldn't recommend freezing it. The pasta can get a bit mushy.
• Reheating: No need to reheat! Just grab a fork and tuck in straight from the fridge. The perfect summer side dish ideas .

Variations: Get Creative!

Fancy mixing things up? Here are a couple of ideas:

• Dairy-Free: Easy peasy, just skip the halloumi and feta. Add some sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavour.
• Seasonal Swaps: In the autumn, you could add roasted butternut squash or some grilled courgette in the summer. Don't be afraid to experiment with other grilled vegetable sides for BBQ . The halloumi recipes for grilling are endless!

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

Alright, no lectures here, but it's good to know what you're eating. It’s got healthy fats from the olive oil, protein from the halloumi and feta, and loads of vitamins from the veggies.

It makes a great contribution to Cookout salads for a crowd while being healthy.

This salad is a winner because it brings joy, flavor, and makes everyone happy. Perfect as a potluck side dishes .

So, go on, give it a whirl! You'll be glad you did! This will surely become one of your favorite BBQ side dishes easy recipes ever!