Enjoy a refreshing and delicious cold orzo salad with shrimp pasta! This dish is perfect for summer gatherings or as a light lunch. The combination of tender orzo, succulent shrimp, fresh vegetables, and tangy dressing makes it a delightful choice.
#### Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 8 oz large shrimp, peeled and deveined (frozen are fine)
- 1 small cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
#### Dressing Ingredients
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
#### Instructions
**Step 1: Prepare the Orzo Pasta**
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the orzo pasta and cook for about 8 minutes, or until al dente.
3. Drain the orzo and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
**Step 2: Cook the Shrimp**
1. In a medium pan, heat some olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink and are fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside to cool slightly.
**Step 3: Prepare Vegetables and Herbs**
1. Dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and red onion into small pieces.
2. Halve the cherry tomatoes if they are not already halved.
3. Finely slice the green onions.
4. Chop the parsley.
**Step 4: Make the Dressing**
1. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, and lemon zest until well combined.
2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
**Step 5: Combine Ingredients**
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo pasta, cooked shrimp, diced vegetables, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced green onions.
2. Add the chopped parsley.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until well coated.
**Step 6: Serve**
1. Let the salad sit for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld.
2. Serve chilled as a refreshing summer dish.
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Enjoy this delicious and refreshing cold orzo salad with shrimp! Perfect for any occasion.