Description
This Feta & Cranberry Fusilli Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is the perfect blend of tangy, sweet, and savory flavors. Tender fusilli pasta is tossed with creamy feta, chewy dried cranberries, crunchy toasted walnuts, and fresh baby spinach, all brought together by a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Light yet satisfying, this salad is perfect for lunch, meal prep, or as a side dish for gatherings. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a must-try for pasta salad lovers!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 8 oz fusilli pasta
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup baby spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
For the Lemon Vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta – Boil the fusilli according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Prep Ingredients – While the pasta cools, chop the spinach, dice the red onion, and toast the walnuts if needed.
- Make the Salad – In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled fusilli, feta cheese, dried cranberries, baby spinach, red onion, and walnuts.
- Prepare the Dressing – In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Toss & Serve – Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently until well combined. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 15 minutes to let the flavors meld. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make Ahead: Store the dressing separately and mix before serving for the freshest taste.
- Nut-Free Option: Swap walnuts for sunflower seeds or omit them.
- Protein Boost: Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or salmon to make it a full meal.
- Best Served Cold: Refrigerate for 15 minutes before serving for enhanced flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook (after pasta is boiled)
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg