Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette, a quick and refreshing dish perfect for any occasion. This delightful salad features tender penne pasta tossed with creamy crumbled feta cheese, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy toasted walnuts, all nestled on a bed of fresh baby spinach. The homemade orange vinaigrette adds a zesty kick that elevates the entire dish. Ready in just 20 minutes, this salad is versatile enough to be enjoyed as a light meal or paired with your favorite grilled protein. It’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights, potlucks, or summer picnics.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 4
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup toasted walnuts, chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 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 penne pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a small bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to create the vinaigrette.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked penne pasta, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, baby spinach, and red onion.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for about 15 minutes to enhance flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg