Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Recipe
A refreshing and colorful Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad tossed with baby spinach and toasted walnuts, all brought together with a zesty homemade orange vinaigrette. Perfect for a light lunch or a vibrant side dish, this salad combines the creamy tang of feta with sweet dried cranberries and the crunch of toasted walnuts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 oz penne pasta
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
Fruits and Nuts
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup toasted walnuts, chopped
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
Orange Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside.
- Make the Orange Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled penne pasta, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted chopped walnuts, baby spinach, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Dress & Toss: Drizzle the prepared orange vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated with the dressing and flavors are well distributed.
Notes
- For best flavor, use freshly squeezed orange juice.
- To toast walnuts, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant.
- Feel free to substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rotini or farfalle.
- This salad can be made ahead and chilled; toss again before serving.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or basil for extra freshness if desired.
Keywords: Feta salad, Cranberry pasta salad, Orange vinaigrette, Penne salad, Vegetarian pasta salad, Walnut salad, Spinach pasta salad
