Spinach Pasta Salad Recipe Featuring Feta Cheese and Cranberries
Okay, picture this: it’s a sweltering summer evening, the kind where even the thought of turning on the oven makes you sweat. You’re craving something satisfying but light, something packed with flavor but easy to throw together. That’s where this What is spinach pasta salad recipe with feta cheese and cranberries?What do you do when someone swoops in to save the day? Is it like the cooler, younger sister of your grandma’s potato salad? My family begs for this all summer long. What is better than macaroni salad?
What is Spinach Pasta Salad?
This isn’t your average, boring pasta salad. Think of it as a celebration of fresh, vibrant flavors and textures all tossed together in one glorious bowl. It’s essentially a cold pasta dish, usually made with smaller pasta shapes, that’s loaded with fresh spinach, salty feta cheese, and bursts of sweetness from dried cranberries. The dressing is typically a light vinaigrette, which complements all the other ingredients without being too heavy. I’ve seen variations with grilled chicken or toasted nuts, but the base is always the same: spinach, pasta, feta, cranberries, and a light dressing. It’s the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy, and it’s seriously addictive! It’s so easy to make it is a lifesaver.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Okay, let me count the ways! First and foremost, the flavor is out of this world. The combination of the slightly bitter spinach, the salty feta, and the sweet cranberries. What is vinaigrette? I swear it’s a party in your mouth! If you boil water, you can make this recipe.What is spinach pasta salad recipe with feta cheese and cranberries?It’s a lifesaver on busy weeknights or when you need to bring ice cream to eat. Is it also super cost effective? The ingredients are relatively inexpensive, and you probably already have most of them in your pantry. What I love about this recipe is its versatility. What are some good side dishes to serve as a main course? Is it good for meal prep? I’ve even added grilled shrimp or leftover rotisserie chicken. Trust me, this recipe is delicious.spinach pasta salad recipe featuring feta cheese and cranberriesWhat are the best kitchen staples? What is your favorite broccoli salad recipe?
How do I make Spinach Pasta Salad?
Quick Overview
Making this What is spinach pasta salad recipe with feta cheese and cranberries?How do you cook pasta according to package directions? While the pasta is cooking, you’ll whisk together the vinaigrette and prep the other ingredients – arugula, lemon, and pepper. What are spinach, feta, and cran Once the pasta is cooked and cooled, you’ll toss everything together and voila! Is it really that simple to cook pasta?
Ingredients Notes:
For the Pasta:
I love using rotini because the spirals catch all the delicious dressing, but you can use any small skewers. What pasta shape do you like? What are some good examples of ditalini, farfalle, or Penne?
Salt: Don’t forget to salt pasta water! What is the difference between a good and bad dish? I’d suggest 2 tablespoons for 6 quarts of water.
For the Salad:
I like baby spinach because it’s tender and mild, but you can use regular spinach if you like it a lot. I’ve never used baby greens before. Just make sure to wash it well and remove any tough stems.
I like to use crumbled feta cheese, but you can also buy a block of feta and make it yourself. Just make sure it’s good quality feta for the best flavor. Dried Cranberries: What are some of the best salad dressings? Can you use unsweetened or sweetened cranberries?
Red Onion: For a bit of bite and flavor. You can use sweet onion or shallots instead if you like.
For the Vinaigrette
Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
Red Wine Vinegar: This adds a nice tang to the dressing. If you don’t have red wine vinegar, you can substitute with apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar.
Dijon Mustard: This helps to emulsify the dressing and adds a subtle flavor.
Honey: A touch of sweetness to balance the tanginess of the vinegar. You can substitute with maple syrup or agave nectar if you prefer.
Garlic: For a bit of flavor. You can use fresh garlic or garlic powder.
Salt and pepper: To taste.
What are the steps to
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. This will also help to prevent the pasta from sticking together.
Step 2: Prepare the Vinaigrette
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside. What is the best way to mix salt and pepper together? Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. I like to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to my recipe!
Step 3: Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, spinach, feta cheese, dried cranberries, and red onion. Set aside. What is the best vinaigrette to serve with salad? Make sure everything is evenly distributed.
Step 4: Chill and Serve
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, give the salad another gentle toss. Is it good to serve chilled the next day?
Step 5: Add your own touch
Add nuts like pecans or almonds. You can also add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
What should I serve it with?
This What is spinach pasta salad recipe with feta cheese and cranberries?Is versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes. Is it good with grilled chicken or fish? I also love serving it alongside sandwiches or wraps for a light lunch.
For a BBQ:Serve it as a side dish alongside grilled burgers, hot dogs, or ribs. What’s a refreshing contrast to the heavier BBQ fare?
For a Potluck:What is your favorite salad to serve at a potluck?
As a Light Lunch: What are some of theWhat is a salad?
For a Picnic:What is a good salad to take with you on scouting trips? Is it safe to eat on the go?
My family loves it with a side of garlic bread or green salad. What are the possibilities?
How do I make a Spinach Pasta Salad?
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to make this blog.spinach pasta salad recipe featuring feta cheese and cranberries even better.
Pasta Perfection: Don’t overcook the pasta! It should be al dente, meaning it’s still slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will get mushy and ruin the texture of the salad.
Dressing Distribution: Make sure to toss the salad gently but thoroughly to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly coated with the vinaigrette. This will help to prevent some bites from being too dry and others from being too soggy.
Ingredient Prep: Prep all the ingredients before you start assembling the salad. This will make the process much faster and easier. Chop the red onion, crumble the feta cheese, and measure out the cranberries ahead of time.
Flavor Fusion: Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will give the flavors time to meld together and intensify. It’s even better if you can chill it for a few hours!
Salt Sensibly: Taste the salad before serving and add more salt and pepper if needed. But be careful not to over-salt it, as the feta cheese is already quite salty. I learned this one the hard way the first time I made it!
Spinach Sanity: If you’re not a fan of raw spinach, you can quickly sauté it in a pan with a little olive oil and garlic before adding it to the salad. This will soften the spinach and mellow out its flavor.
Cranberry Considerations: If you find that the dried cranberries are too chewy, you can soak them in warm water for a few minutes to plump them up before adding them to the salad.
Storing and Reheating Tips
This spinach pasta salad recipe featuring feta cheese and cranberries is great for meal prepping because it keeps well in the fridge for several days.
Room Temperature: I wouldn’t recommend leaving this salad out at room temperature for more than a couple of hours, as the spinach will start to wilt and the dressing will separate.
Refrigerator Storage: Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will actually improve over time, so it’s even better the next day!
Freezer Instructions: I don’t recommend freezing this salad, as the pasta and spinach will become mushy when thawed. The feta cheese may also change in texture. Believe me, I tried it once – it wasn’t pretty!
Glaze Timing Advice: It’s best to add the vinaigrette to the salad just before serving, as the spinach will wilt if it sits in the dressing for too long. If you’re making the salad ahead of time, store the dressing separately and add it right before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
I hope you give this spinach pasta salad recipe featuring feta cheese and cranberries a try! It’s a simple, flavorful, and versatile dish that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s a wonderful way to incorporate veggies into your daily meal and still get all the proteins and carbs. It’s one of those recipes that I always come back to, and I know you’ll love it too! If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out my other pasta salad recipes for more inspiration. Happy cooking! Can’t wait to hear how yours turns out! Share your variations in the comments below!
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Spinach Pasta Salad Recipe Featuring Feta Cheese and Cranberries
IngredientsÂ
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz fusilli pasta uncooked
- 5 cups fresh spinach lightly packed
- 0.5 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 0.5 cup dried cranberries
- 0.25 cup walnuts toasted and chopped
- 0.25 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp honey
- 0.5 tsp salt or to taste
- 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, fresh spinach, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, and red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper.
- Drizzle the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour to blend flavors.
Notes
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
