Farro Pasta Bowl Mediterranean Vegetables (Printable)

Nutty farro pasta with sautéed zucchini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and a zesty lemon-oregano dressing topped with feta cheese.

# Components:

→ 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

# Method:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook farro pasta according to package directions until al dente, approximately 20 to 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, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Add diced zucchini, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp and vibrant in color.
04 - Stir in baby spinach and cook for 1 to 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 well combined.
06 - In a large bowl, combine cooked farro pasta, sautéed vegetables, and prepared dressing. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
07 - Divide among serving bowls. Top with crumbled feta cheese, fresh parsley, and toasted pine nuts. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in about 40 minutes but tastes like you spent the afternoon cooking.
  • The vegetables stay bright and tender, never mushy or sad looking.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, served cold straight from the fridge.
  • You can swap in whatever vegetables you have on hand and it still works beautifully.
02 -
  • Don't skip salting the pasta water generously, it's your only chance to season the farro itself and makes a noticeable difference.
  • If the vegetables release too much liquid, turn up the heat for the last minute or two to let it evaporate, otherwise the dressing will be diluted.
  • Toss the pasta with the vegetables and dressing while both are still slightly warm so the flavors meld and the feta softens just a little.
03 -
  • Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet until golden and fragrant, watching them closely because they burn in seconds.
  • Taste the pasta water before draining, if it's well salted, your dish will be well seasoned from the inside out.
  • Use a mix of red and yellow peppers for visual appeal, but any color works and they all taste slightly different.
  • If you can't find farro pasta, regular whole farro cooked until tender makes an excellent base, just drain it well and treat it like pasta.
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