A fresh and delicious pasta salad that tosses orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, mint and feta cheese in a red wine vinaigrette. The orzo has a great texture, and this makes a perfect summer picnic salad!
Sometimes I think my life could make a very entertaining sitcom.
Take this morning, for instance. I am standing at the bathroom sink, trying to put on my make-up…one foot on the toilet lid, contorted with my knee bent to stop my one and a half year old Kai from getting to the trash can. Then he averts his attention from the trash can, and quickly dives for the roll of toilet paper…which I am not ready for. He yanks on it, and manages to get a good length of it before I can stop him.
Then he’s gone in a flash…disappeared into my bedroom, and it is eerily quiet. Quiet is bad in my house. So I go to find him, and what do I find? My humidifier. The little humidifying hole plugged up with toilet paper. There is also a corner of paper hanging out of his mouth. He says “mmmmm!”
Not an end-of-the-world catastrophe, just a snapshot of my life these days. One eye always to be on Mr. Trouble, and never, ever a dull moment.
No matter if you are chasing a toddler or not, everyone needs a good, simple and easy recipe for the warmer weather. And I have just the recipe for you!
This is my twist on the old pasta salad. You know the one, dripping in creamy dressing, with the odd vegetable floating around in there.
This salad is not quite the same. I used orzo pasta for one thing, which gives it a really nice texture. And the vinaigrette is not heavy or creamy, but a light and tangy red wine vinaigrette with a hint of garlic.
I tossed in some fresh herbs: parsley and mint. The mint absolutely makes this salad. Don’t skip it! The herbs, especially the mint, really bring a freshness to the salad, and go perfectly with the salty feta cheese.
I tossed in some fresh cherry tomatoes and radishes, but you can use any veggie you’d like: we also added celery and bell peppers to a different batch.
And I was a real space case with this recipe because there were actually supposed to be chickpeas in there. But my Mom Brain got in the way when I was photographing the salad. I totally forgot to put them in! So feel free to add chickpeas to the salad!
So….yep. A super easy (and healthy) pasta salad, perfect for this warmer weather that should be arriving…any day now?
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Herbed Orzo Pasta Salad with Tomatoes & Feta
A fresh and delicious pasta salad that tosses orzo pasta, cherry tomatoes, mint and feta cheese in a red wine vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 1 cup radishes, sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Red Wine Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook orzo according to package instructions, and allow to cool.
- Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
- Shake together all vinaigrette ingredients until sugar is completely dissolved, then stir into the salad until completely combined.
Recipe Notes
Salad will keep for up to 2 days if kept separate from the dressing.
Products used in this recipe:
Oh that is funny, Denise! Although I’m sure it wasn’t so funny when Kai stole that toilet paper. This salad looks perfect! Orzo is one of my favorite pastas to cook with and I’m loving the flavorful herbs in here. Sounds like it makes the perfect lunch or dinner!
Thanks Gayle! It was funny! He is constantly keeping us amused…and busy!
I can totally picture the scene you described! You had me laughing at that last sentence when he said, mmm! Luckily, my kids are pretty good about not getting into things, though they do have their moments of fighting with each other which makes things interesting!
This pasta salad looks perfect! I love that you added lots of veggies, and the vinaigrette sounds delicious!
He always says ‘mmmm’, even when he finds a cheerio on the floor! Yet he won’t eat any food I serve him. LOL. Thanks, Kristine!
Haha! Kai sounds like the cutest little trouble maker of all! Glad it wasn’t anything too bad, like writing on the walls with markers. This pasta salad sounds so good! And love all the herbs you added : )
Oh gosh, I am NOT giving that kid a marker! Ha ha, thanks, Natalie!
Just love this, Denise – I could eat this every day for lunch!
Thanks, Geraldine!
Haha, wow I’m looking forward to my baby girl walking now! It’s already enough that she’s crawling 😉 Love the look of this salad and I’ve been totally obsessed with mint on everything lately! So, so good!
It is SO much fun, Nora! Everyone told me when he started walking the trouble would begin, and he is trouble, but he’s also so much more independent. And FUN!
I don’t have any children to chase around just yet, but I totally need more recipes like this anyway. It looks so bright and delicious!
Thanks, Brittaney! I don’t think anyone, kids or not, could complain about easy 🙂
ah yes, the toddler struggles, they are REAL! This salad looks perfect, and great for spring!
You know it, Katie! Ha ha, thanks!
Haha, I know the feeling too well! It gets better though, and now with a 3 year old and a 4 month old, we’re kind of in the eye of the storm. Lol. I know it will come again!
Ha ha you will be seriously busy in a year or so! Not that you’re not super busy right now! It is so much fun though, I love that his little personality is coming out. Thanks, Ashley!
Oh how funny. I bet Kai thought it was awesome. Love this orzo pasta. It so delicate, yet so full of flavor.
That kid definitely keeps me entertained! Thanks, Kathy 🙂
Easy and healthy is something anyone would like to have and this salad just made it possible. I love that you used ozro pasta for this. It’s a dish with flavorful taste! And Kai is just adorable!
Thanks, Maureen! I don’t think anyone would complain about easy 🙂
haha, never a dull moment with a toddler. . I hear you!!! and oh my gawd, Denise. . this orzo pasta salad is gorgeous!!!! I love this so much! I just pickled some radishes yesterday that I bet would taste fantastic in here . . I must make this happen soon!!! love!!
Totally! Life is definitely not boring! I bet those pickled radishes would be delish in the salad. Thanks, Alice!
What a great idea! I love tomatoes and feta in orzo, they complement each other so well! I need to have this for lunch today!
Thanks, Shelby! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
LOL! Quiet is always suspicious when it comes to kids! This pasta salad looks amazing. I love orzo but don’t use it nearly enough! I think you just inspired me! 😉
Thanks, Jess! I don’t normally use orzo, other than in soups. It has a great texture!
haha, that story made my day, Denise. I wish my mornings were as exciting as yours are! This pasta salad sounds fantastic! Pinning for later!
Vinaigrettes for the win! They’re one of my favorite parts of summer. What a great use of orzo! The herbs and dressing pack one delicious punch. Pinned!
This looks amazing and so fresh! I love orzo and this looks so delish and springy 🙂