Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Recipe
This refreshing Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad features tender pasta tossed with tangy feta, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy toasted walnuts, and fresh baby spinach, all brought together with a bright and zesty orange vinaigrette. Perfect for a light lunch or a vibrant side dish, this salad balances savory, sweet, and citrus flavors for a delightful culinary experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- 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
Vegetables
- 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, usually about 10-12 minutes. 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 smooth and emulsified.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled penne pasta, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, chopped toasted walnuts, fresh baby spinach, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Dress & Toss: Drizzle the prepared orange vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together until all components are evenly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately or chill for later.
Notes
- To toast walnuts, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until fragrant and lightly browned.
- For a more intense orange flavor, zest some orange peel into the vinaigrette.
- This salad can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated; add the spinach just before serving to keep it fresh.
- Feel free to substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds based on preference.
- If preferred, use gluten-free penne pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
Keywords: Feta cranberry penne salad, orange vinaigrette pasta salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, easy pasta salad recipe, healthy pasta salad
