Tomato Feta Orzo Salad (Printable)

Mediterranean orzo with tomatoes, feta, fresh herbs, and a tangy dressing for a fresh, satisfying dish.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 1 1/4 cups orzo

→ 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 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To:

01 - Boil salted water in a large pot and cook orzo 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 black pepper until combined.
03 - Add cooled orzo, cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, crumbled feta, chopped basil, and parsley into the bowl with dressing.
04 - Gently toss all ingredients until evenly coated with the dressing.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 4 hours to allow flavors to meld before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • The flavors actually improve as it sits, making it perfect for meal prep or bringing to gatherings.
  • It's versatile enough to be a side dish, a light lunch, or a hearty dinner when you add grilled protein.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cold water rinse on the pasta—I learned this the hard way when mine turned into a starchy clump.
  • If you're making this ahead, hold back some of the fresh herbs and add them just before serving so they stay vibrant instead of wilting into the dressing.
03 -
  • Crumble your feta by hand just before tossing everything together—it tastes fresher and won't get pulverized into a paste.
  • If you don't have fresh herbs and you're tempted to use dried basil, just don't—it's the difference between a dish that tastes homemade and one that tastes like it came from a box.
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