Tomato Feta Orzo Salad (Printable Version)

Mediterranean orzo with cherry tomatoes, feta, fresh herbs, and a zesty olive oil dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 1¼ cups orzo pasta

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 small red onion, finely diced

→ Dairy

04 - 1 cup crumbled feta cheese

→ Herbs & Greens

05 - 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
09 - 1 garlic clove, minced
10 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
03 - Add the cooled orzo, cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, crumbled feta, basil, and parsley to the dressing in the bowl.
04 - Gently toss all ingredients until evenly coated with the dressing.
05 - Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed for balanced flavor.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It actually gets better as it sits, making it perfect for meal prep or making ahead
  • The ingredient list is mostly pantry staples with stuff you can grab at any grocery store
  • Works as a side dish or stands on its own as a light vegetarian main
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta under cold water is crucial or it keeps cooking and turns mushy
  • The dressing might seem like too much at first but orzo really soaks it up
  • Room temperature or slightly chilled is better than ice cold for flavor
03 -
  • Let the tomatoes sit in the dressing for 15 minutes before adding the pasta for extra flavor
  • Use a microplane to grate the garlic so it dissolves into the dressing
  • Sprinkle extra feta on top right before serving for the prettiest presentation
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