Light Italian Lemon and Herb Orzo Salad

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-13 · Updated 2026-07-13

A refreshing orzo pasta salad tossed with fresh herbs, lemon zest, and a light olive oil dressing perfect for warm days. This Italian-inspired salad recipe, ready in about 18 minutes, pairs orzo pasta, lemon zest, lemon juice into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 3, thinly sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 cup orzo pasta and cook for 8 minutes until tender but firm to the bite, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
3. Step 3: Add the cooled orzo to the bowl with the dressing along with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, and 3 thinly sliced green onions. Toss gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese just before serving for a savory touch.