Tangy Feta & Cranberry Rigatoni Salad Recipe with Zingy Lemon

Weeknight dinners become magical with this feta and cranberry rigatoni salad that promises unexpected flavor combinations.

Mediterranean ingredients dance together in surprising harmony.

Tangy cheese meets sweet-tart berries across perfectly cooked pasta.

Crisp vegetables add delightful crunch and vibrant colors to every bite.

A zesty lemon vinaigrette weaves through the ingredients, creating a refreshing profile.

Quick to assemble and impossible to resist, this dish feels like a culinary adventure.

I guarantee you’ll want seconds before finishing your first serving.

What Sets Feta & Cranberry Rigatoni Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Apart

• Quick and Easy Prep: Whip up this delightful pasta salad in just a few simple steps, perfect for busy home cooks looking for a hassle-free meal.
• Vibrant Flavor Explosion: Enjoy a tantalizing mix of tangy feta, sweet cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and zesty lemon vinaigrette that creates a symphony of tastes in every bite.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for potlucks, picnics, lunch boxes, or as a light dinner that appeals to both adults and kids with its colorful and inviting ingredients.
• Nutritious and Balanced: Pack in the goodness of protein-rich feta, heart-healthy walnuts, nutrient-dense spinach, and a light dressing that doesn't compromise on flavor or nutrition.

Cranberry Rigatoni Salad with Feta Ingredients

• Rigatoni: Classic tubular pasta perfect for holding dressing and mix-ins.

• Feta: Crumbly Greek cheese with tangy, salty flavor.

• Dried Cranberries, Walnuts: Sweet-tart berries and crunchy nuts for texture contrast.

• Baby Spinach, Red Onion: Leafy green for freshness and onion for sharp bite.

• Olive Oil, Lemon Juice: Smooth base for bright, zesty dressing.
• Honey, Dijon Mustard: Sweet and tangy binding agents for vinaigrette.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers for overall taste.

Feta and Cranberry Rigatoni Salad Step-by-Step

Step 1: Perfectly Cook Pasta

Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Drop rigatoni and cook until tender but still firm. Quickly drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to halt cooking and cool it down immediately.

Step 2: Craft Vibrant Lemon Vinaigrette

• Olive oil
• Fresh lemon juice
• Honey
• Dijon mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk ingredients until they create a smooth, bright dressing.

Step 3: Create Colorful Salad Base

• Cooled rigatoni
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Dried cranberries
• Toasted walnuts
• Baby spinach leaves
• Thinly sliced red onion

Step 4: Dress and Toss

Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together, ensuring each component gets a delicious coating of dressing.

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Plate the salad immediately for a fresh crunch. For deeper flavor, let it chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy your vibrant and tangy pasta salad!

Pasta Salad Tips That Pair Feta, Cranberry, and Lemon Just Right

• Swap Pasta Shapes: Try penne, farfalle, or rotini for different textures and visual appeal while maintaining the salad's delicious structure.
• Customize Crunch Level: Toast walnuts in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes to enhance their nutty flavor and create an extra crispy texture.
• Make Ahead Magic: Prepare this salad up to 24 hours in advance, storing the vinaigrette separately and mixing just before serving to keep spinach fresh and crisp.
• Protein Power-Up: Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or crumbled plant-based protein to transform this side dish into a complete meal with balanced nutrition.
• Dairy-Free Option: Replace feta with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese crumbles to accommodate lactose-intolerant or vegan dietary needs.

Rigatoni Salad with Feta and Cranberry Storage Tips

• Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dressing separate to prevent the pasta from becoming soggy.
• Do not freeze this salad, as the fresh ingredients like spinach and feta will lose their texture and quality when thawed.
• Before serving, let the salad sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Gently toss and add a splash of fresh vinaigrette to refresh the flavors.
• Quickly warm individual portions in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, but note that the spinach and feta will slightly change texture when heated.

Flavors That Fit Rigatoni Cranberry Salad

• Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc complements the tangy feta and bright lemon vinaigrette, cutting through the richness with its zesty and refreshing profile.
• Create Protein Balance: Grilled chicken breast or poached salmon adds lean protein and makes the pasta salad a complete, satisfying meal with harmonious flavors.
• Enhance with Herbal Side: Serve alongside a simple herb salad with fresh basil, mint, and parsley to elevate the dish's Mediterranean-inspired taste and add vibrant green notes.
• Recommend Rustic Bread Companion: Crusty sourdough or ciabatta provides a delightful textural contrast, perfect for soaking up the lemony vinaigrette and adding a rustic touch to the meal.

Rigatoni Salad Flavor Takes

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace rigatoni with gluten-free penne or quinoa pasta for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Version: Swap feta cheese with dairy-free almond cheese and use maple syrup instead of honey in the vinaigrette.
• Mediterranean Remix: Add kalamata olives, diced cucumber, and fresh mint for a Greek-inspired variation.
• Protein Power Boost: Incorporate grilled chicken, chickpeas, or roasted tofu to increase protein content and make the salad more filling.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute rigatoni with penne, fusilli, or rotini. Choose a pasta shape that holds the dressing and ingredients well.

• Are dried cranberries essential to the recipe?

Not completely. If you don’t have dried cranberries, you can replace them with other dried fruits like chopped dried apricots or golden raisins for a similar sweet-tangy flavor.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the salad a few hours in advance. Keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving to prevent the spinach from wilting and maintain the crispness of the ingredients.

• Is there a way to make this salad more protein-rich?

Yes, you can add grilled chicken, canned tuna, or chickpeas to increase the protein content and make it a more substantial meal.

Feta & Cranberry Rigatoni Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

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

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired rigatoni salad blends tangy feta and sweet cranberries in a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Crisp herbs and creamy cheese create a perfect summer meal that will delight pasta enthusiasts seeking fresh, balanced flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) rigatoni pasta
• 1/2 cup (75 grams) crumbled feta cheese
• 2 cups (60 grams) baby spinach

Dried and Chopped Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup (50 grams) dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) toasted walnuts, chopped
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

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Instructions

1. Cook rigatoni in a pot of salted boiling water until perfectly tender, following package guidelines. Immediately drain and cool the pasta under a gentle stream of cold water to halt further cooking.
2. Craft a zesty vinaigrette by vigorously whisking olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, golden honey, robust Dijon mustard, and a delicate blend of salt and pepper in a compact mixing bowl.
3. Transform a spacious mixing vessel into a canvas of culinary delight by layering the chilled pasta, crumbled tangy feta, vibrant dried cranberries, richly toasted walnuts, delicate baby spinach leaves, and thinly sliced crimson onion.
4. Elevate the salad’s flavor profile by gracefully drizzling the prepared lemon vinaigrette across the ingredients, then gently toss using soft folding motions to ensure each component receives a harmonious coating.
5. Present the salad immediately for optimal freshness, or allow it to rest in the refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes to let the flavors meld and intensify, creating a more complex taste experience.

Notes

• Toast nuts carefully to enhance their flavor without burning, watching them closely in a dry skillet or oven.
• Substitute feta with goat cheese or vegan alternative for dairy-free dietary needs, maintaining creamy texture.
• Rinse pasta under cold water thoroughly to prevent clumping and cool down quickly for a perfect chilled salad consistency.
• Adjust vinaigrette’s tanginess by balancing lemon juice and honey, tasting as you mix for personalized flavor profile.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg