Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette is a vibrant and refreshing dish that perfectly balances tangy feta, sweet cranberries, and crunchy walnuts. This easy-to-make salad is ideal for potlucks, picnics, or as a light lunch on busy days. In just 20 minutes, you can whip up this nutritious meal featuring wholesome penne pasta and fresh baby spinach, all topped with a zesty homemade orange vinaigrette. Whether served as a main course or a delightful side, this salad is sure to impress your guests or elevate your everyday meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 4 people
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup toasted walnuts, chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the penne pasta 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 to make the vinaigrette.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked penne, feta cheese, cranberries, walnuts, spinach, and red onion.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for 15 minutes before serving to enhance flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 10mg