Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
Experience the delightful blend of flavors in this Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette. This vibrant dish combines al dente penne pasta with tangy feta, sweet cranberries, and a zesty orange vinaigrette, making it the perfect choice for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a colorful side at any gathering. Ready in just 20 minutes, this salad is not only visually appealing but also packed with nutrients from fresh ingredients like spinach and walnuts. Whether you enjoy it on its own or as a complement to grilled chicken or turkey, this salad promises to impress with its refreshing taste and versatility.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6 people 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
- 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 boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked penne, feta cheese, cranberries, walnuts, spinach, and red onion.
- Drizzle the orange vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for about 15 minutes to enhance the flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg