Roasted Vegetable Orzo with Feta and Fresh Basil Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful roasted vegetable orzo salad combining tender roasted zucchini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion with perfectly cooked orzo pasta. Tossed with crumbled feta, fresh basil, and a bright lemon dressing, this dish makes a delightful warm or room temperature side or light main.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red onion, sliced
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for roasting the vegetables.
- Prepare Vegetables: Spread the diced zucchini, red and yellow bell peppers, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion evenly on a baking sheet.
- Season Vegetables: Drizzle the olive oil over the vegetables, season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic, then toss them to coat everything evenly.
- Roast Vegetables: Roast the seasoned vegetables in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until tender and slightly caramelized for maximum flavor.
- Cook Orzo: While vegetables roast, cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: Once vegetables are roasted, transfer them to a large bowl; add the cooked orzo and gently combine.
- Add Feta and Herbs: Add the crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh basil to the bowl and toss gently to mix.
- Finish with Lemon: Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the mixture and toss again to combine all flavors.
- Serve: Serve the roasted vegetable orzo warm or at room temperature as a side dish or light meal.
Notes
- You can substitute orzo with other small pasta shapes if preferred.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or use a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Add toasted pine nuts or walnuts for extra crunch and flavor.
- The dish can be served warm, room temperature, or chilled as a pasta salad.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Adjust seasoning and lemon juice to taste for preferred tanginess and saltiness.
Keywords: roasted vegetable orzo, Mediterranean pasta salad, vegetarian pasta dish, roasted vegetables, lemon feta orzo
