Description
This Ricotta & Cranberry Rigatoni Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette is a vibrant, refreshing dish packed with creamy ricotta, tangy dried cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. It’s the perfect balance of flavors and textures—ideal for a light lunch, side dish, or meal prep! Ready in just 20 minutes, this pasta salad is as delicious as it is easy to make.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 8 oz rigatoni pasta
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh arugula
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
For the Lemon Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rigatoni, ricotta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, arugula, Parmesan cheese, and red onion.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for 20 minutes to let the flavors meld. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make it ahead: You can prepare the vinaigrette and cook the pasta in advance. Just toss everything together before serving.
- Add protein: Grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas make a great addition for a heartier meal.
- Swap the nuts: No walnuts? Try pecans, almonds, or sunflower seeds for a different crunch.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Pasta
- Method: No-Cook (after boiling pasta)
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg