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Spinach Pasta Salad with Feta and Cranberries

Spinach Pasta Salad with Feta and Cranberries

  • Author: Amelia
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Spinach Pasta Salad with Feta and Cranberries is a fresh, vibrant salad combining tender pasta, crisp spinach, tangy feta cheese, and sweet-tart dried cranberries. This light and nutritious salad is perfect for lunch, picnics, or as a colorful side dish, offering a delightful balance of textures and flavors that is easy to prepare and customizable to suit various dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Greens

  • 8 oz rotini or penne pasta
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach

Cheese and Fruit

  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Vegetables

  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Begin by boiling the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down for salad preparation.
  2. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, salt, and pepper until well combined and emulsified, creating a light and tangy dressing.
  3. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled pasta with fresh baby spinach, thinly sliced red onion, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese to distribute the flavors evenly.
  4. Dress and Toss: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss until everything is uniformly coated. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
  5. Chill and Serve: For best results, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

  • Choose short, sturdy pasta shapes like rotini or penne for the best texture and dressing hold.
  • Use fresh baby spinach for tender leaves that blend well with other textures.
  • If adding nuts, toast them to amplify flavor and crunch.
  • Add honey or maple syrup gradually to balance the tartness of cranberries without excessive sweetness.
  • Chill the salad before serving to enhance the flavor combination.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: No cooking (boiling pasta only)
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: spinach pasta salad, feta cheese, dried cranberries, healthy salad, vegetarian pasta salad, easy lunch, picnic salad

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Find it online: https://savortrack.com/spinach-pasta-salad-with-feta-and-cranberries/