If you’re looking for an easy lunch idea, try this simple and filling Mediterranean salad. It checks all the boxes! Combine fresh veggies with garbanzo beans, add orzo, lemon juice and drizzle with heart friendly olive oil. So delicious, healthy, and the best part? It fills you up! If you’re like me and need more than just lettuce in your salad, try this delicious Mediterranean Orzo Salad. The pine nuts, garbanzo beans, feta, arugula and olive oil are delicious when combined.

Tips:

• Make sure you have all the ingredients on hand. Prep by chopping everything up and make the orzo according to manufacturers instructions.
• Don’t forget you can always substitute out some of these ingredients and the salad will still be delicious.
• Try adding artichoke hearts and replace the garbanzo beans with shredded chicken.
• This salad can be make up to a day ahead of time. I always wait to add the dressing until I am ready to serve. Use a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing for this salad. Here is my recipe.
• Add purple onion if you’d like!

Watch me make this Mediteranean Orzo Salad here!

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Mediterranean Orzo Salad

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Feel free to substitute shredded chicken for garbanzo beans. This recipe serves 2 - 4 people. *When toasting pine nuts, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet. Add pine nuts and stir for a couple minutes taking care not to burn the nuts. Sprinkle with salt and put aside.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces orzo pasta prepared according to manufacturer instructions.
• 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup garbanzo beans or shredded chicken
• 1 cup diced bell pepper
• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 1 cup Feta cheese
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts* (+ 1 tbsp olive oil and a sprinkling of sea salt)
• 1 cup arugula
• 3 tbsp vinegarette*

Instructions

1. Prepare orzo according to manufacturer instructions. When done, strain and drizzle with olive oil. Salt to taste
2. In a saucepan, add olive oil and pne nuts. Saute gently taking care not to burn the nuts. When slightly brown, remove and sprinkle with your favorite course seas salt. Put aside.
3. In the serving bowl of your choice, add orzo.
4. Top with diced tomatoes, garbanzo beans, cucumber, peppers, feta. Toss with a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing. Here's my recipe.
5. Add pine nuts and arugula. Lightly toss and serve.