Description

This Savory Spinach Pasta Salad with Feta and Cranberries Delight is a fresh and colorful dish combining whole wheat pasta, vibrant baby spinach, tangy feta cheese, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy sliced almonds. Tossed in a zesty lemon and Dijon mustard dressing with a touch of honey, this salad is a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tart flavors. Ideal as a refreshing side or a light main course, it’s easy to prepare and wholesome.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

8 oz Whole Wheat Pasta
4 cups Fresh Baby Spinach (dry)
1 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled
1 cup Dried Cranberries
1/2 cup Sliced Almonds
1/2 medium Red Onion, thinly sliced

Dressing Ingredients

1/3 cup Olive Oil (extra virgin recommended)
2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
1 tablespoon Honey
1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
Salt & Pepper to taste

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process and cool it down.
Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and fully blended.
Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, fresh baby spinach, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and thinly sliced red onion. Gently toss to mix all the ingredients evenly.
Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to ensure everything is well coated with the flavorful dressing.
Chill and Serve: Cover the salad bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to become refreshingly cool.

Notes

To vary the texture, try using different types of pasta.
Substitute feta cheese with goat cheese or mozzarella for varied flavor profiles.
Replace dried cranberries with other dried fruits like cherries or raisins to customize sweetness.
If you have nut allergies, substitute sliced almonds with sunflower seeds.
Green onions can be used instead of red onion for a milder onion flavor.
For a vegan dressing, replace honey with maple syrup.
Always adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preference before serving.