Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad tossed in a zesty homemade orange vinaigrette. This salad balances the creaminess of feta cheese, the sweetness of dried cranberries, and the crunch of toasted walnuts with fresh baby spinach and a citrusy dressing, making it perfect for a light lunch or a colorful 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
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 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 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 cooked and cooled penne pasta with crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted chopped walnuts, baby spinach, and thinly sliced red onion, ensuring even distribution.
- Dress & Toss: Drizzle the freshly prepared orange vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together to coat all components evenly with the dressing. Serve immediately or chill before serving for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- To toast walnuts, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- For extra freshness, add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or mint if desired.
- This salad can be prepared a few hours ahead and refrigerated; add the dressing just before serving to maintain crispness.
- Substitute penne pasta with gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
- If preferred, swap honey with maple syrup to make the vinaigrette vegan-friendly.
Keywords: Feta salad, cranberry salad, penne pasta salad, orange vinaigrette, vegetarian pasta salad, healthy salad recipe
