Fresh Spinach Pasta Salad with Feta and Cranberries Recipe

Crisp, refreshing spinach pasta salad brings vibrant Mediterranean flavors to your summer table.

Bright green leaves dance with creamy feta crumbles and sweet ruby-red cranberries.

Mediterranean ingredients create a symphony of tastes that sing on your plate.

Tangy cheese and tart berries complement the delicate pasta perfectly.

Quick and simple to assemble, this dish offers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Colorful ingredients promise a delightful meal that feels both light and satisfying.

Spinach Pasta Salad with Feta and Cranberries Twist

• Burst with Vibrant Flavors: Experience a delightful mix of tangy feta, sweet cranberries, and fresh spinach that creates an exciting taste explosion in every bite.
• Craft a Nutritious Meal: Pack your plate with wholesome ingredients like nutrient-rich spinach, protein-packed pasta, and antioxidant-filled cranberries for a balanced and healthy dish.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients, add protein like grilled chicken, or include different nuts to make this recipe perfectly suited to your personal taste and dietary preferences.
• Prepare Ahead Perfectly: This make-ahead salad allows flavors to develop beautifully, making it ideal for meal prep, potlucks, and gatherings where you want delicious food without last-minute stress.

Ingredients for Spinach Pasta Salad with Cranberries

• Pasta: A staple ingredient that provides the hearty foundation of the salad.

• Spinach, Cherry Tomatoes, Red Onion: Fresh vegetables that add crisp texture and vibrant color to the dish.
• Dried Cranberries: Tangy and sweet ingredient that brings a burst of fruity flavor.

• Feta Cheese: Creamy and salty cheese that adds a rich, tangy element to the salad.
• Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Honey: Smooth dressing ingredients that create a balanced and flavorful coating.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the salad.

• Nuts: Crunchy addition that provides extra texture and nutty flavor.

Step-by-Step Spinach Pasta Salad Instructions

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Grab your favorite pasta and cook it in salted boiling water until it reaches that ideal al dente texture. Once cooked, quickly drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool down the pasta.

Step 2: Chop Fresh Ingredients

• Fresh spinach leaves
• Creamy feta cheese
• Tangy dried cranberries
• Red onion
• Juicy cherry tomatoes

Slice, dice, and crumble each ingredient into bite-sized pieces for maximum flavor distribution.

Step 3: Whip Up Zesty Dressing

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Honey
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk the ingredients until they create a smooth, harmonious dressing that will bring your salad to life.

Step 4: Combine And Toss

Pour the prepared dressing over your pasta and vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together, ensuring each ingredient gets a beautiful coating of the tangy dressing.

If you want extra crunch, sprinkle some toasted nuts on top.

Step 5: Let Flavors Mingle

Allow the salad to rest for about 15-20 minutes at room temperature.

This resting time lets all the delicious flavors blend and intensify, creating a more delectable eating experience.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy your refreshing spinach pasta salad chilled or at room temperature.

Perfect for summer gatherings or a quick, nutritious meal!

Tips for Delicious Spinach Pasta Salad

• Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping, ensuring a perfect al dente texture.
• Swap spinach with kale or arugula for different nutrient profiles and flavor variations while maintaining the salad's freshness.
• Let the salad rest for 15-30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and develop a more intense, harmonious taste.
• Prepare the salad a day in advance and store in the refrigerator, as the flavors will continue to develop and become more robust overnight.
• Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu to transform this side dish into a complete and satisfying meal with extra protein.

Creative Variations of Spinach Pasta Salad

• Mediterranean Spinach Pasta: Replace feta with crumbled goat cheese, add kalamata olives, and swap balsamic vinegar for red wine vinegar in the dressing.
• Protein-Packed Pasta Salad: Mix in grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein, use quinoa pasta for a gluten-free option, and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts.
• Spicy Southwest Spinach Pasta: Incorporate black beans, corn, diced jalapeños, and replace honey with lime juice in the dressing. Top with chopped cilantro and a dash of cumin.
• Greek-Inspired Spinach Pasta: Add cucumber, bell peppers, and swap dried cranberries for fresh pomegranate seeds. Use Greek yogurt as part of the dressing base for extra creaminess.

Pairing Suggestions for Spinach Pasta Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a zesty sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the tangy feta and sweet cranberries, cutting through the salad's richness.
• Elevate with Grilled Protein: Add lemon-herb grilled chicken or seared salmon alongside the pasta salad for a balanced, protein-packed meal that enhances the dish's Mediterranean flavors.
• Match with Rustic Bread: Serve warm, crusty sourdough or rosemary focaccia to soak up the vibrant balsamic dressing and provide a delightful textural contrast to the pasta.
• Toast Nutty Side Dish: Include toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds to add a crunchy element that highlights the salad's earthy spinach and brightens the overall flavor profile.

Best Storage Tips for Spinach Pasta Salad

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the pasta salad chilled to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.

Avoid freezing this salad as the texture of spinach, tomatoes, and feta will become mushy and watery when thawed.

Enjoy the pasta salad cold for best taste. If you prefer it slightly warm, gently microwave for 30-45 seconds, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly.

Before serving, give the pasta salad a quick stir and add a splash of olive oil or balsamic vinegar to revive the flavors and restore moisture.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, thaw and drain frozen spinach completely, then squeeze out excess moisture before adding to the salad. Fresh spinach provides a better texture and flavor.

• Is this salad vegetarian-friendly?

Absolutely! This pasta salad is vegetarian and can easily be made vegan by replacing feta with a plant-based cheese alternative.

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

Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or toasted pine nuts to increase the protein content and make the salad more filling.

• What if I don't have balsamic vinegar?

You can substitute with red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a similar tangy flavor in the dressing.

Spinach Pasta Salad With Feta And Cranberries Recipe

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4.9 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 24 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Refreshing Spinach Pasta Salad with Feta and Cranberries brings Mediterranean charm to your plate, blending tangy cheese with sweet-tart berries. Light, zesty flavors dance through crisp spinach leaves, promising a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) rotini or fusilli pasta
• 4 cups (120 grams) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 cup (150 grams) feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup (150 grams) dried cranberries

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1/2 cup (75 grams) red onion, finely diced
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Optional Ingredient:

• 1/4 cup (30 grams) pine nuts or walnuts, toasted

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta until tender yet firm, approximately 8-9 minutes. Immediately drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process and prevent sticking.
2. While pasta cools, finely chop fresh spinach leaves into delicate ribbons, ensuring uniform size for even distribution throughout the salad.
3. Crumble feta cheese into small, irregular pieces to create pockets of tangy flavor throughout the dish.
4. Dice red onion into precise, small cubes to provide a sharp, crisp texture without overwhelming other ingredients.
5. Slice cherry tomatoes in half, revealing their juicy interior and creating visual appeal in the salad.
6. In a separate mixing bowl, vigorously whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey until the dressing emulsifies into a smooth, consistent blend.
7. Season the dressing with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
8. Gently fold pasta, spinach, feta, cranberries, red onion, and tomatoes together, ensuring each ingredient is evenly coated with the dressing.
9. If desired, sprinkle chopped nuts over the salad for added crunch and nutty undertones.
10. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify before serving chilled.

Notes

• Swap regular pasta with whole wheat or gluten-free options for dietary needs and added nutrition.
• Toast pine nuts or almonds briefly to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch to the salad.
• Prepare the salad a few hours ahead of time for deeper, more developed flavor profiles as ingredients marinate together.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, keeping the salad fresh and delicious.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 390 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3.5 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg