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I have the prettiest spring salad today!

Easy Layered Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

I can’t 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 salad is so fresh and is literally bursting with color and flavor!

Easy Layered Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

And it’s so easy to put together too!

Actually the day I made this salad I kind of just walked into my pantry and started grabbing ingredients…which means it’s one of the best recipes, because for some reason the random recipes are always best.

Since this salad wasn’t planned, going to the grocery was most definitely not going to happen. It was one of those “use what you got” salads. AKA “the pantry salad”.

Easy Layered Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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 backups…for 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 didn’t. 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. 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 place… again.

Easy Layered Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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 dad’s Friday Night Pasta Dish), so for me, they are total staples.

Easy Layered Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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. It’s 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 everybody’s got their own thing going on.

Easy Layered Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

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 it’s 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, it’s spring and flowers should be everywhere! <–TRUTH.

Easy Layered Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Easy Layered Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 688 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Ingredients

Dressing*

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

*If you love a lot of dressing, double this recipe. **You can also layer this salad in a large glass serving bowl. That would be super pretty too!!
View Recipe Comments

Easy Layered Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Also, this salad? It will get you over the Wednesday hump…it’s those colors!

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Love this simple but perfectly balanced recipe. I was wondering if you could share where you found the glass jars and caddy? They’re so cute!

    1. 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

  2. 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.

    1. 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

  3. Wow. Very attractive and tasty.
    Tomorrow is the last week, my family would try this recipe
    Thank you

  4. The presentation and storage of this salad is so fun! I always unintentionally end up with two jars of something in my pantry.