Mediterranean farro pasta bowl (Printable)

Nutty farro pasta with colorful vegetables in zesty olive oil dressing

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains and Pasta

01 - 8.8 oz farro pasta

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
05 - 5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 3.5 oz baby spinach
07 - 1 small red onion, finely sliced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dressing

09 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

14 - 2 oz crumbled feta cheese
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook farro pasta according to package instructions until al dente, approximately 20-25 minutes. Drain and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onion and minced garlic, sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Sauté for 6-8 minutes until vegetables are tender but retain their vibrant color and slight firmness.
04 - Stir baby spinach into the vegetable mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted. Remove skillet from heat.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together remaining olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
06 - In a large serving bowl, combine cooked farro pasta, sautéed vegetables, and prepared dressing. Toss gently to coat all components evenly.
07 - Divide mixture among serving bowls. Top each portion with crumbled feta cheese, fresh parsley, and toasted pine nuts. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Farro has this wonderful, slightly sweet nuttiness that makes regular pasta feel a bit plain once you've tried it.
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, which means weeknight dinner without the stress.
  • The vegetables stay bright and crisp instead of turning into mush, so every bite feels fresh.
02 -
  • Don't drain your vegetables after cooking—any liquid that collects is liquid gold for flavor, and you want it mingling with the pasta.
  • Al dente matters more with farro than regular pasta because the grain is denser; undercooked farro feels gritty, but overcooked falls apart into mush.
03 -
  • Toast your pine nuts in a dry skillet for just 2 to 3 minutes before adding them—you'll hear the aroma change, and that's when you know they're perfect.
  • Make extra dressing even though the recipe only calls for one batch; people always want more, and it keeps in a jar in the refrigerator for up to a week.
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