Zesty Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Recipe

Fresh summer gatherings always call for a delightful feta and cranberry penne salad that transforms simple ingredients into a vibrant culinary experience.

Colorful pasta dances with tangy cheese crumbles and sweet-tart berries.

Mediterranean flavors mingle with bright citrus notes in this refreshing dish.

Crisp vegetables add texture and depth to every forkful.

Zesty orange vinaigrette weaves through the ingredients, creating a harmonious blend of tastes.

Simple yet sophisticated, this salad promises to become your new favorite warm-weather companion.

You will absolutely love how quickly it comes together and delights everyone at the table.

Why Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Is So Refreshing

• Whip Up Quickly: Perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen, this penne salad comes together in just a few simple steps.
• Burst with Flavor Combinations: The tangy feta, sweet cranberries, and zesty orange vinaigrette create a delightful symphony of tastes that dance on your palate.
• Packed with Nutritious Ingredients: Loaded with baby spinach, protein-rich walnuts, and vibrant vegetables, this salad offers a wholesome and balanced meal option.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Great for potlucks, lunch gatherings, or a quick weeknight dinner, this salad appeals to various taste preferences and dietary needs.

Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Ingredients

• Penne Pasta: Classic pasta shape perfect for salads.

• Feta Cheese: Crumbly and tangy Greek cheese.

• Dried Cranberries, Walnuts: Sweet and crunchy add-ins for texture.

• Baby Spinach, Red Onion: Fresh and crisp salad components.

• Orange Juice, Olive Oil, Honey, Dijon Mustard: Zesty and smooth dressing base.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers for the salad.

Penne Salad with Cranberries and Orange Vinaigrette Guide

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Get a large pot of water bubbling with salt. Toss in the penne and cook until it’s perfectly tender but still has a slight bite. Drain the pasta and give it a quick cold water rinse to stop the cooking process. Let it cool completely.

Step 2: Craft the Citrusy Dressing

• Fresh orange juice
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Liquid honey
• Dijon mustard
• Sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Blend these ingredients until they transform into a smooth, golden elixir of flavor.

Step 3: Build Your Flavor Powerhouse

• Cooled penne pasta
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Dried cranberries
• Toasted walnut pieces
• Fresh baby spinach leaves
• Thinly sliced red onion rings

Step 4: Dress and Toss with Flair

Drizzle your citrusy vinaigrette over the salad. Use gentle folding motions to ensure every ingredient gets a delicious coating of dressing.

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Plate your pasta salad immediately for maximum freshness. For an extra flavor boost, let it chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving. This allows the ingredients to mingle and intensify their delicious profile.

Pasta Salad Tips That Mix Cranberry, Feta, and Orange Zest

• Boost Pasta Texture: Rinse penne with cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping, ensuring a perfect al dente texture.
• Enhance Vinaigrette Flavor: Zest the orange before juicing to add an extra layer of citrusy aroma and intensity to the dressing.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop ingredients and make vinaigrette in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator to save time during meal preparation.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap feta for vegan cheese alternatives and use gluten-free pasta to accommodate different dietary requirements while maintaining the salad's delicious profile.
• Balance Ingredient Proportions: Toast walnuts lightly to release their natural oils and enhance their nutty flavor, ensuring they complement the other ingredients without overpowering the dish.

Storing and Reheating Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad

• Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing separate to prevent soggy pasta and maintain crisp textures.
• Not recommended due to the delicate ingredients like spinach and feta, which will lose their texture and quality when frozen.
• Add a splash of fresh orange vinaigrette and gently toss to revive the salad's flavors and moisture before eating leftover portions.
• Remove the salad from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to come to room temperature and enhance their natural flavors.

Best Add-Ons for Penne Cranberry Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complement the tangy feta and bright orange vinaigrette, cutting through the richness while enhancing the salad's zesty flavors.
• Match with Herbal Iced Tea: Mint or lemon-infused iced tea provides a refreshing counterpoint to the salad's bold ingredients, creating a light and cooling drinking experience.
• Serve with Grilled Chicken: Lemon-herb marinated chicken breast adds protein and brings out the salad's citrusy notes, making the meal more substantial and satisfying.
• Complement with Rustic Bread: Toasted sourdough or ciabatta slices offer a crunchy texture that contrasts beautifully with the pasta's softness, allowing diners to soak up the delicious vinaigrette.

Penne Salad Vinaigrette Swaps

• Vegan Friendly Version: Replace feta with creamy cashew cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey for a complete plant-based option.
• Gluten-Free Alternative: Swap traditional penne with gluten-free rice or chickpea pasta to accommodate wheat sensitivities while maintaining the same delicious flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Protein Boost: Add grilled chicken or chickpeas to increase protein content and create a more substantial meal that keeps you satisfied longer.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, keeping the vibrant orange vinaigrette and original mix-ins for a lighter, nutrient-dense meal.

FAQs

• What makes this salad unique?

The combination of tangy feta, sweet cranberries, and bright orange vinaigrette creates a perfect balance of flavors that makes this penne salad stand out from typical pasta dishes.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While penne works great, you can substitute with rotini, bowtie, or fusilli pasta to achieve a similar texture and hold the dressing well.

• Is this salad healthy?

Yes, this salad is nutritionally balanced with whole grains from pasta, protein from feta, healthy fats from walnuts, and vitamins from spinach and cranberries, making it a wholesome meal option.

• How can I make this salad more protein-rich?

You can add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or shredded rotisserie chicken to boost the protein content and make it a more substantial meal.

Feta & Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette Recipe

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4.5 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean magic meets zesty freshness in this feta & cranberry penne salad with orange vinaigrette. Tangy cheese, sweet cranberries, and citrus-kissed dressing create a perfect harmony you’ll crave on warm summer days.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) penne pasta
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Additional Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted pot of water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge penne pasta and cook until perfectly tender yet firm, following precise package timing guidelines.
2. While pasta cooks, craft the vibrant orange vinaigrette by vigorously whisking orange juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the mixture transforms into a smooth, emulsified dressing.
3. Drain pasta thoroughly in a colander and rinse under cool running water to halt the cooking process and prevent further softening. Allow pasta to drain completely, ensuring no excess water remains.
4. Select a spacious mixing vessel and layer in the cooled pasta, creating a foundation for the salad. Artfully scatter crumbled feta cheese, jewel-like dried cranberries, and crunchy toasted walnuts across the pasta surface.
5. Delicately integrate thin half-moons of red onion and tender baby spinach leaves throughout the pasta mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
6. Cascade the prepared orange vinaigrette over the salad, using gentle folding motions to coat each ingredient without crushing the delicate components.
7. For optimal flavor development, either serve immediately at room temperature or chill briefly in the refrigerator, allowing the vinaigrette to permeate and harmonize the ingredients.

Notes

• Toast nuts carefully to prevent burning, watching them closely in the pan or oven for a golden color and rich, nutty flavor.
• Substitute feta with plant-based cheese alternatives for a vegan version, ensuring the same creamy texture and tangy taste.
• Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent overcooking, maintaining a perfect al dente texture.
• Prepare vinaigrette ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, allowing flavors to develop and intensify for a more robust dressing.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg