Lemon Orzo Salad with Asparagus, Spinach, and Feta
We have been really busy lately, but this weekend we were able to kick back and relax, and for me, that meant spending most of my time in the kitchen. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. It was so much fun. Josh was a good sport too-he helped me create some fabulous recipes and did a lot of dishes:) One of my favorite creations was the lemon orzo salad we made on Saturday for lunch.
Orzo is a pasta that is similar to rice in shape, but a little thicker and larger. I love making pasta salads with it. Even though it was cold and snowy outside, I was in the mood for fresh, healthy, spring foods. I incorporated lemon, asparagus, and spinach-ingredients that scream spring to me. I sprinkled feta cheese on top of the salad and it was the perfect touch.
This salad is simple and fresh. I loved the crunchy asparagus with the tender, lemony orzo. The spinach added additional green goodness too. Make this salad for a light lunch or serve it as a side dish to any spring meal. You will be amazed by how easy it is to make and how delicious it is to eat.
On a side note, who is watching the big game tonight? We are. I think I might cheer for the under dogs, Butler, but I have a feeling Duke will win. Josh is making his famous hot wings. Should be a fun game.
Lemon Orzo Salad with Asparagus, Spinach, and Feta
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 cup orzo
Salt-about 1/2 tsp. for boiling water
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon olive oil
8 asparagus spears, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cup packed fresh spinach
Juice of 1 large lemon
1/3 cup feta cheese
Salt and pepper, to tasteDirections:
1. In a medium sauce pan, bring 4 cups of water to boil. Add the salt. Stir in orzo. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain orzo and set aside.
2. In a small sauce pan, saute garlic in olive oil. Add in asparagus pieces. Saute for 3-4 minutes. Stir in spinach. Cook until asparagus is tender and the spinach shrinks down.
3. Put the orzo in a medium bowl and add in the vegetables. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the orzo and vegetables. Stir. Season with salt and pepper. Taste-add more lemon juice if you wish. The lemon I used was huge, so I only needed to use one lemon. If you need more juice, go ahead.
4. Sprinkle feta cheese over the top of the salad. Serve warm. (I also liked the salad cold.)
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SaveIf you like this orzo salad, you might also like:
Spinach and Orzo Salad with Cranberries and Almonds from Aggie’s Kitchen
Orzo Super Salad from 101 Cookbooks
Orzo Salad with Chickpeas, Dill, and Feta and Lemon from Whipped
Orzo Salad from Dlyn
Welcome to Two Peas and Their Pod. We share a love of cooking, baking, and entertaining. We enjoy creating recipes that are simple, fresh, and family friendly. Join us in our culinary adventures-our kitchen is always open! 
This looks perfect for spring!
You were so right in your comment on our blog: you sure do eat tasty vegetarian dishes! We actually posted today asking for submittals of asparagus images so we can do a spring roundup of them and link back to everyones sites and recipes: would love if you’d like to include yours!
twopeas replied: — April 5th, 2010 @ 7:08 pm
Talia-I hope you find some veggie recipes to try! I will send you an email:)
Wow, I love this. I might have to make it, subbing something like quinoa for the orzo (haven’t found a gluten-free orzo that I know of yet!) and serve it at my sister’s baby shower! It’s so perfectly spring, fresh, and yummy-looking! And sorry, I’ll be cheering for Duke tonight! Go Blue Devils!
Yum! Lovin’ spring veggies!
I’m a rooter for the underdogs myself!
what a bright and spring-appropriate salad, maria–this must’ve been such a pleasure to eat!
I can’t get enough asparagus!!!
this screams spring, instantly making me happy and hungry!
This sounds really good. I’m on a quest to find whole wheat orzo in Salt Lake, but haven’t found it yet.
twopeas replied: — April 5th, 2010 @ 7:09 pm
Kalyn-if you find the whole wheat orzo, please let me know. I will be on the look out. If I find some, you will be the first to know.
Love orzo and all these yummy flavors you’ve put together here. Sounds (and looks) delicious.
Yum! Orzo and Feta with lemon?? Please pass some this way!
I haven’t had orzo in a while. This is lovely in every way, and makes me want to purchase orzo right away.
This is seriously the recipe i’ve been looking for! i have orzo sitting in the pantry and I couldn’t think of what to do with it. I just bought beautiful asparagus from the farmer’s market so perfect! It is like you read my mind
Thanks for this post!
Orzo salad is so good but orzo with spring veggies is even better! Lovely pictures to boot! BTW – I have seen whole wheat orzo at Costco in my area so you might want to check!
Oh, what a great salad. I have all the ingredients, this is coming to my house tomorrow. Duke won a close one, didn’t they?
This has some of my most favorite ingredients!
love orzo..great recipe..with lemon and feta..yum
sweetlife
This is so pretty and spring like. yum!
I am a Feta fanatic so this is beautiful and dreamy to me. Sorry about Duke taking the win
This looks so fresh and Springy! I love the touch of feta over the top to bring it all together, too.
A delicious and fresh looking dish! A definite bookmark here….I recently tried orzo and love it AND we LOVE asparagus in our house!
Great, vibrant green color in this dish – I can feel it rejuvenating me even just looking at it!!
Looks so good. I love orzo. Have you ever found whole wheat orzo?
You know, I’ve never been a big fan of orzo, but this recipe is making me reconsider. It sounds delicious!
Oh my gosh! This looks amazing, and so perfect for spring! I can’t make it fast enough! (I’m making your baked zucchini fries tonight – woo hoo!)
twopeas replied: — April 8th, 2010 @ 8:00 am
Cathy-I hope you liked the baked zucchini fries!
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Wow! So simple and SO GOOD! Excellent flavor combination. Thanks for this recipe — I recommend adding some toasted pine nuts:)
We are finally having spring weather so this recipe comes at the perfect time to use all those great spring veggies!
I love making salads with Orzo! This recipe looks great – such a great way to use my favorite spring ingredient (asparagus).
I love all these flavors together. Been buying a few bunches of asparagus each week, so I will need to make this yummy orzo. I think my kids would dig it too…..if they don’t pick out all the asparagus! (mommy can always eat it)
First time here at your blog. Love orzo and yours sounds delicious with all my favourite ingredients and flavours.
This was a wonderful dinner last night! I’d actually double the spinach and add more asparagus. Yours looks a lot greener than mine…maybe my asparagus were smaller or something.
This looks DIVINE. You combined two of my loves–orzo and lemon. PERFECTION!
Maria – this looks so good! I’ll have to make it for a work lunch one of these days!
I just made this tonight and it was the perfect summery dinner. It was light but filling. Plus, fat-free feta made this even healthier – but didn’t dull the flavor!
twopeas replied: — April 8th, 2010 @ 7:58 am
Erin-glad you enjoyed the salad. Great idea to use fat free feta!
What a lovely salad… I love lemon and asparagus. Some of my favorite spring flavors!
So beautifully full of spring flavors!
This looks really delicious and refreshing…I also like the green colors of the asparagus and spinach paired with the Orzo and Feta cheese.
This looks like the perfect spring pasta dish! Thanks for sharing!
This is right up the middle of my alley for sure. I am on an aspargus kick lately too!!! Love orzo……..
I made this last night for our cooking club- i added sauteed red onions though. Everyone loved it.