Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad dressed with a zesty homemade orange vinaigrette. This delightful pasta salad blends the creaminess of feta, the tart sweetness of dried cranberries, and the crunch of toasted walnuts with fresh baby spinach and red onion for a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Ideal for a light lunch, picnic, or side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta
Salad Ingredients
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 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. Once cooked, 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 the 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 cooked and cooled pasta with crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, baby spinach, and thinly sliced red onion. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Dress & Toss: Drizzle the prepared orange vinaigrette over the salad. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing. Serve immediately or chill for later use.
Notes
- To toast walnuts quickly, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant.
- For added freshness, consider adding chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or basil.
- This salad can be served chilled or at room temperature.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- For a vegan version, substitute feta cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative and use maple syrup instead of honey.
Keywords: Feta salad, cranberry pasta salad, penne salad, orange vinaigrette, Mediterranean salad, vegetarian pasta salad
