Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette
Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette is a vibrant, refreshing dish that perfectly balances tangy feta, sweet cranberries, and crunchy walnuts over tender penne pasta. Tossed in a zesty homemade orange vinaigrette, this salad is ideal for any occasion—whether as a light main course or a colorful side dish. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings. Packed with nutritious ingredients like fresh spinach and walnuts, this dish not only satisfies your taste buds but also provides essential vitamins and healthy fats. Customize it by adding proteins like grilled chicken or turkey, or try different vegetables to suit your palate.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne pasta
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup toasted walnuts
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
- 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 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 pepper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked penne pasta, feta cheese, cranberries, walnuts, spinach, and red onion.
- Drizzle the orange vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for about 15 minutes to enhance flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg