This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
I have the prettiest spring salad today!
I canโt remember when the last time I posted a salad, but umm, today I am in a salad state of mind.
This easy layered Mediterranean orzo pasta saladย is so fresh and is literally bursting with color and flavor!
And itโs so easy to put together too!
Actually the day I made this salad I kind of just walked into my pantry and started grabbing ingredientsโฆwhich means itโs one of the best recipes, because for some reason the random recipes are always best.
Since this salad wasnโt planned, going to the grocery was most definitely not going to happen. It was one of those โuse what you gotโ salads. AKA โthe pantry saladโ.
I am one of those people who pretty much always keeps a stocked pantry, and to be honest, I get a little anxious every time I know I am out of my backupsโฆfor my backups.
But ahh, the other day I ran out of peanut butter and almost cried. I was SO sure I had another jar, yeah, well I didnโt. I am actually thinking I need to start a list, or maybe make one of those chalkboard walls, so I can try to keep better inventory. Clearly, I am a little freakish about my pantry.ย Someday, I want one of those huge walk in pantries with pretty shelves of organized food. You know, like the ones straight out of a magazine? Yeah, I want that.
Thinking I could keep it organized for a good two hours before things were all over the placeโฆ again.
The point is, this salad is a pantry staple salad.
Or at least it was for me. I ALWAYS have these mediterranean ingredients on hand. What? I really LOVE mediterranean style food and I kind grew up on these flavors (hello, my dadโs Friday Night Pasta Dish), so for me, they are total staples.
OK. SO. I really created this recipe with an Easter picnic in mind, but honestly, it would be great to make from today through the end of summer. Even then, you could still make it with a few substitutions pretty much anytime of the year.
The best part is, you can prepare this salad completely in advance and just grab and go whenever you are ready for it. Whether its Easter brunch, an Easter picnic, as a packed work lunch or whatever. Itโs good for SO many things. You can even veganize it by just leaving out that feta cheese. I mean, I would never, ever do that, but everybodyโs got their own thing going on.
Oh, and you can make this in cute jars for individual servings or you can layer it in a big glass salad bowl. Either way itโs super fun. I guess I like the glass jars better, but I kind of have a thing for glass jars. Yup, weirdo alert for sure.
Double oh? Those flowers?! I am sorry if they are just too much for these photos, but oh my gosh, I love them and I could not help but include them in these photos. A super kind women I work with sent them to me and I have been enjoying every minute of them. Plus, itโs spring and flowers should be everywhere! <โTRUTH.
Easy Layered Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Dressing*
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- the juice + zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced or grated
- salt and pepper, to taste
Salad
- 1 pound orzo pasta, use gluten free if needed
- 2 cups cooked chickpeas or 1 can chickpeas, drained + rinsed, 14 ounce
- 1 ounce jar marinated + roasted artichokes, lightly chopped, 12
- 2 ounce roasted red peppers or 1 jar roasted red peppers, sliced, 12
- 1 cup fresh basil + 1/4 cup fresh parsley + 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1 cup kalamata olives
- 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (omit if making vegan)
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 6 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
Instructions
Dressing
- in a glass jar, combine the olive oil, lemon juice + zest, balsamic vinegar, garlic, crushed red pepper and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Assembling the Salads
- Cook the orzo according to package directions. Drain.
- Grab 4-6 (16-28 ounce) glass jars. Evenly layer each jar in order with dressing, chickpeas, roasted veggies (the artichokes and red peppers, orzo, basil, parsley, mint, kalamata olives, feta cheese, pine nuts). Fill the jars to just the top with spinach. Top the salads off with cherry tomatoes. Cover and store in the fridge for up to 1 day. To serve, you can either eat straight from the jar or dump out into bowls.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Also, this salad? It will get you over the Wednesday humpโฆitโs those colors!
Love this simple but perfectly balanced recipe. I was wondering if you could share where you found the glass jars and caddy? Theyโre so cute!
Hey there,
Fantastic! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear that it was enjoyed! They are just old mason jars and the caddy was a vintage find:) Xx
If making this in a glass bowl, do you layer the same way since there’s no dumping it out? (Start with dressing and spinach on top.) I have a glass trifle bowl I was going to use for an Easter meal.
Hey Brooke,
Yes that will work just fine. I hope you enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I think I could eat this salad every day for the rest of my life, love it!
Wow. Very attractive and tasty.
Tomorrow is the last week, my family would try this recipe
Thank you
Such a simple salad but presentation is everything! Love your creativity.
The salad – ingenious and one of my most favorite flavor combos
The flowers – stupendous!
You are right—this is easy! Fun video. And a GORGEOUS bouquet.
Tieghen such gorgeous salad and those flowers!! Gaaah I DIE!! <3
What an adorable little salad! Looks really delicious too!
The presentation and storage of this salad is so fun! I always unintentionally end up with two jars of something in my pantry.