Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette is a vibrant and refreshing dish that elevates any meal. This delightful salad combines tender penne pasta with tangy feta cheese, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy toasted walnuts, all brought together by a zesty homemade orange vinaigrette. Tossed with fresh baby spinach and red onions, this salad is not only light but also incredibly satisfying. With a preparation time of just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings. Serve it as a hearty main course or a flavorful side dish at your next event—this salad is sure to impress!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne pasta
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped toasted walnuts
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
- 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 penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to make the vinaigrette.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, feta, cranberries, walnuts, baby spinach, and red onion.
- Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss gently to coat.
- Serve immediately or chill for about 15 minutes to enhance flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 10mg