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A fresh and colorful pasta salad featuring penne, feta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, baby spinach, and a zesty orange vinaigrette. Ready in about 25 minutes, it’s a quick, flavorful dish perfect as a light main, side, or potluck addition.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions.
  3. Drain the pasta, rinse under cold water to stop cooking, and set aside.
  4. Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet until fragrant and lightly browned, then chop them.
  5. Thinly slice the red onion.
  6. Crumble the feta cheese.
  7. Whisk together fresh orange juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and emulsified.
  8. In a large bowl, combine the cooled penne, crumbled feta, dried cranberries, toasted chopped walnuts, baby spinach, and sliced red onion.
  9. Drizzle the orange vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat without breaking up the feta.

Notes

Always salt your pasta water to season the pasta properly., Rinse cooked pasta with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking., Toasting walnuts enhances their crunch and nutty flavor., Make the vinaigrette ahead to speed up assembly., Adjust sweetness of vinaigrette by varying honey amount., Pair the salad with grilled chicken or fish for a more filling meal., Serve alongside crusty bread or garlic knots to add texture., Add fresh herbs like parsley or basil for extra flavor., For a vegan option, substitute feta with plant-based cheese or avocado., Add extra veggies like roasted bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or cucumbers for diversity., A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a spicy kick., Store components separately for freshness; the assembled salad keeps up to 3 days refrigerated., Do not freeze the salad as it affects texture., Enjoy the salad chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cozyovenkitchen.com/feta-cranberry-penne-salad-with-orange-vinaigrette-crisp-tastes/