Name: Cranberry Penne Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz penne pasta; ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled; ½ cup dried cranberries; ¼ cup toasted walnuts, chopped; 2 cups baby spinach; ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced; ¼ cup fresh orange juice; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper

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Introduction

This Cranberry Penne Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish perfect for a light lunch or a colorful side. Combining tangy cranberries, creamy feta, and a zesty orange vinaigrette, it brings fresh and satisfying flavors to your table.

A close-up image of a white bowl filled with a three-layer pasta salad; the base layer is fresh dark green spinach leaves, the middle layer is cooked light yellow penne pasta pieces scattered evenly, and the top layer consists of small white crumbles of cheese, bright red dried cranberries, and rough light brown walnut chunks mixed throughout. The pasta has a slight sheen, and the whole dish is lightly sprinkled with coarse black pepper. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 oz penne pasta
½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
½ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup toasted walnuts, chopped
2 cups baby spinach
¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, rinse under cold water, and set aside to cool.
Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh orange juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the vinaigrette is smooth and well combined.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, baby spinach, and thinly sliced red onion.
Step 4: Drizzle the orange vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately or chill before serving for a refreshing taste.

Tips & Variations

For a nut-free option, omit walnuts and add extra dried cranberries or sunflower seeds for crunch.
Use baby kale or arugula instead of spinach for a different leafy green flavor.
Add grilled chicken or chickpeas to turn this salad into a heartier meal.
Toast the walnuts just before adding to enhance their flavor and crunch.

Storage

Store the cranberry penne salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Toss the salad again before serving, as the dressing may settle. This salad is best enjoyed chilled, but bring to room temperature for about 10 minutes if preferred warm.

How to Serve

The image shows several ingredients on a white marbled surface, arranged in small round bowls and loose groupings. In the center is a bowl filled with pale yellow cooked penne pasta. To its bottom left, there is a bowl with white crumbled cheese, and to the bottom right is a bowl full of dark red dried cranberries. Near the cheese bowl, some walnuts are scattered, and a few more walnuts are near the cranberries. Above the pasta bowl, there is a glass filled with brown liquid, likely dressing or sauce. To the right of the glass, a bunch of fresh green spinach leaves are spread out. Thinly sliced purple-red onion rings are placed beside the spinach. On the left side of the pasta, a whole orange sits in a bowl, and below it, there is a small black bowl containing coarse white salt with black pepper sprinkled on top. A clove of garlic with its skin partially removed is placed near the salt bowl. The whole setup is neat and visually balanced, with varying textures and colors ranging from white, green, orange, purple, and deep red photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the salad a few hours ahead and refrigerate it. For best texture, dress the salad just before serving or shortly before to avoid sogginess.

Can I substitute fresh orange juice with bottled juice?

While fresh orange juice offers the best flavor, you can use good-quality bottled orange juice if fresh is not available. Adjust the sweetness if needed.