Description
Mediterranean-inspired Feta & Cranberry Rigatoni Salad delights palates with tangy cheese, sweet berries, and zesty lemon vinaigrette. Crisp pasta and fresh ingredients promise a delectable summer meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) rigatoni pasta
Cheese and Fruit:
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Vegetables and Nuts:
- 2 cups baby spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely sliced
- 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Bring a generously salted pot of water to a rolling boil and cook rigatoni until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Drain pasta in a colander and immediately rinse with cold water to halt cooking and cool down the noodles completely.
- Create the zesty vinaigrette by vigorously whisking fresh lemon juice with extra virgin olive oil, honey, minced garlic, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper until emulsified.
- Select a spacious mixing bowl and combine the chilled rigatoni with crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, tender baby spinach leaves, crisp cucumber chunks, toasted walnut pieces, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Gently pour the lemon vinaigrette over the salad, using a soft folding motion to distribute the dressing and prevent breaking delicate ingredients.
- For optimal flavor development, allow the salad to rest in the refrigerator for 25-30 minutes before serving, which helps the ingredients marinate and blend their individual tastes.
- Before presenting, give the salad a final light toss to redistribute the dressing and ensure every component is perfectly coated.
Notes
- Choose short rigatoni for easier eating and better dressing coverage.
- Rinse pasta thoroughly to stop cooking and prevent clumping, ensuring a refreshing cold salad texture.
- Toast walnuts briefly to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the dish.
- Adjust vinaigrette sweetness by varying honey amount for personalized taste preferences or dietary needs like low-sugar requirements.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg