Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Recipe

Introduction

This Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette is a vibrant and refreshing dish perfect for warm days or as a flavorful side. Combining tangy feta, sweet cranberries, and a zesty citrus dressing, it’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.

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
• ¼ cup fresh orange juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking, and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh orange juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the vinaigrette is smooth and well combined.
3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, chopped toasted walnuts, baby spinach, and thinly sliced red onion.
4. Step 4: Drizzle the orange vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately or chill to let flavors meld.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, substitute walnuts with toasted pecans or almonds.
• Swap baby spinach for arugula or mixed greens for a different flavor profile.
• Add grilled chicken or chickpeas to make it a more substantial main dish.
• If fresh orange juice isn’t available, use unsweetened orange juice or a mix of orange zest and lemon juice for brightness.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the vinaigrette separate if possible and toss just before serving to maintain freshness and texture. Leftovers can be served chilled or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any short pasta like rotini, farfalle, or fusilli will work well to hold the vinaigrette and mix with the other ingredients.

Is this salad suitable for make-ahead meals?

It’s best to prepare the salad and dressing separately and combine just before serving. This helps keep the salad fresh and prevents the pasta from becoming soggy.

Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 56 reviews

A refreshing and vibrant feta and cranberry penne salad tossed with baby spinach, toasted walnuts, and a zesty orange vinaigrette. This easy-to-make pasta salad balances sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, perfect for light lunches, picnics, or as a colorful side dish.

• Author: Sienna
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Salad 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

1. 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 to drain well.
2. Make the Orange Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh orange juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and emulsified, creating a bright and tangy dressing.
3. Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled penne pasta with crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted and chopped walnuts, fresh baby spinach leaves, and thinly sliced red onion. Mix gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
4. Dress & Toss: Drizzle the prepared orange vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to coat the pasta and other components evenly with the dressing, ensuring each bite is flavorful.

Notes

• For best texture, rinse the pasta under cold water after cooking to prevent it from becoming mushy.
• You can substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds if preferred.
• Dried cranberries can be swapped out for raisins or chopped dried cherries for a different sweet note.
• This salad is best served chilled or at room temperature.
• To make it vegan, replace feta cheese with a plant-based cheese alternative and use maple syrup instead of honey.

Keywords: feta penne salad, cranberry pasta salad, orange vinaigrette, summer pasta salad, vegetarian pasta salad, walnut salad