Lemony Orzo Pasta Salad with Shrimp

This light Lemony Orzo Pasta Salad with Shrimp works well for lunch, dinner or meal prep for the week. It’s loaded with fabulous flavor and different textures and it’s all tossed in a deliciously lemony dressing. 

I’ve been working hard on sticking to a fitness routine this year and I’ve tried to lighten up my meals and make things a bit more healthy. And this is one salad that helps me feel satisfied, yet it’s on the healthier side.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

This Lemony Orzo Pasta Salad with Shrimp is light, yet loaded with fabulous flavor and different textures and it’s all tossed in a deliciously lemony dressing. I just know you’re going to love it.

It’s great for lunch, dinner or your meal prep for the week.

If you’ve got a baby or wedding shower or ladies luncheon this is the perfect recipe to serve.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• orzo pasta
• shrimp
• English cucumber
• green olives
• Kalamata olives
• scallions
• Cotija cheese
• fresh dill
• lemon
• olive oil
• red wine vinegar
• garlic
• kosher salt and pepper

It’s packed with all my favorite ingredients. Orzo, shrimp, English cucumber, Cotija cheese, a combination of green and Kalamata olives, scallions and fresh dill. The dressing is a simple combo of fresh lemon juice, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper.

Step-By-Step Instructions

The first step is to cook your pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Add pasta to a large bowl with shrimp, cucumber, scallions, olives, Cotija cheese and chopped dill.

The next step is to add all the ingredients for the lemony dressing to a jar. Shake until well blended.

The final step is to pour dressing over pasta salad ingredients. Toss until well combined. Serve immediately. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container.

This salad pops up on our menu all year long, but it’s a great option for all your upcoming summer picnics or dinner parties.

Please let me know if you give the recipe a try. And if you have any questions about the recipe, just drop a comment below. Enjoy!

Lemony Orzo Pasta Salad with Shrimp

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 6 servings

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This light Lemony Orzo Pasta Salad with Shrimp works well for lunch, dinner or meal prep for the week. It's loaded with fabulous flavor and different textures and it's all tossed in a deliciously lemony dressing. 

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Ingredients  

• 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
• 1 lb. cooked shrimp
• 1 1/2 cups English cucumber, cut into 1/4 inch slices and then diced
• 1/2 cup mixture of pitted green and Kalamata olives, sliced in half
• 1/3 cup scallions, sliced thin
• 1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped

Lemony Dressing

• 1 large lemon, juiced
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Instructions 

• Cook pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Add pasta to a large bowl with shrimp, cucumber, scallions, olives, Cotija cheese and chopped dill.
• Add all ingredients for the lemony dressing to a jar. Shake until well blended. Pour dressing over pasta salad ingredients. Toss until well combined. Serve immediately. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container.

Notes

You could use any small pasta shape for this salad. Mini shells, ditatlini or small elbows would work too. I just happen to love the orzo pasta.

Another delicious addition to this salad is some chopped roasted red pepper.

I love the Cotija cheese which is a crumbly, salty Mexican cheese, but you could also add feta.

Keyword: orzo pasta, pasta salad, shrimp, Vegetarian

Cuisine: American

Course: Salad