Nutritious Spinach Pasta Salad with Feta and Cranberries
Nutritious Spinach Pasta Salad with Feta and Cranberries is a vibrant and wholesome dish that perfectly balances flavor and nutrition. This salad combines fresh baby spinach, tangy feta cheese, and sweet dried cranberries, creating an explosion of taste in every bite. The addition of whole wheat pasta makes it filling yet light, making it ideal for a quick lunch or as a centerpiece at potlucks. Ready in just 25 minutes, this salad is not only easy to prepare but also highly customizable based on your preferences. Toss in your favorite vegetables or proteins to make it uniquely yours!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz whole wheat pasta (rotini or bowtie)
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta with spinach, feta cheese, cranberries, almonds, and red onion.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for enhanced flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg