Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Mediterranean-inspired penne salad featuring tangy feta, sweet dried cranberries, crunchy toasted walnuts, and fresh baby spinach, all tossed in a bright and zesty orange vinaigrette. Perfect as a light lunch or a flavorful side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 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. Cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente. Then, drain the pasta and rinse 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, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted chopped walnuts, fresh baby spinach, and thinly sliced red onion, ensuring even distribution.
- Dress & Toss: Drizzle the prepared orange vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together to coat all components evenly with the dressing.
Notes
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or cucumbers for extra crunch and color.
- This salad can be made ahead of time; store it without dressing and add the vinaigrette just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
Keywords: penne salad, feta cheese, cranberry salad, orange vinaigrette, Mediterranean salad, pasta salad, healthy salad, vegetarian recipe
