Description

This Feta & Cranberry Rigatoni Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is a refreshing twist on pasta salad. With chewy cranberries, creamy feta, crunchy walnuts, and a zesty lemon dressing, it’s light, colorful, and perfect for any season. Quick to make and easy to customize, this dish works just as well for weeknight dinners as it does for holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

12 oz (340g) rigatoni pasta (or penne/rotini as substitutes)
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup dried cranberries (substitute with raisins or dried apricots)
3 cups fresh baby spinach (or arugula)
1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/3 cup toasted walnuts or pecans (or sunflower/pumpkin seeds)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Lemon Vinaigrette

1/3 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
Salt and black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Boil rigatoni in salted water until al dente (10–12 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
Prepare the Vinaigrette: Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a bowl or shake in a jar.
Prep the Mix-ins: Slice red onion, toast walnuts in a dry pan until fragrant, and chop parsley.
Combine the Salad: In a large bowl, mix pasta, spinach, cranberries, onion, walnuts, and parsley. Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss well.
Add the Feta: Sprinkle crumbled feta on top and gently fold in to keep chunks intact.
Serve: Transfer to a platter or bowl and garnish with extra cranberries, feta, or parsley for presentation.

Notes

Make this salad ahead by prepping the pasta and dressing up to a day in advance. Keep them stored separately, then toss together before serving. Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or roasted vegetables to turn it into a heartier main dish.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook Assembly
Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 1/2 cups)
Calories: 340
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 9g
Cholesterol: 15mg