Description
A refreshing and nutritious savory spinach pasta salad featuring whole wheat pasta, fresh baby spinach, tangy feta cheese, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy sliced almonds, all tossed in a zesty lemon-honey Dijon dressing. Perfect as a light main dish or a vibrant side for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 8 oz Whole Wheat Pasta
- 4 cups Fresh Baby Spinach, dry
- 1 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup Dried Cranberries
- 1/2 cup Sliced Almonds
- 1/2 medium Red Onion, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 1/3 cup Olive Oil (extra virgin recommended)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, fresh baby spinach, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and thinly sliced red onion. Toss gently to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Toss lightly but thoroughly to coat everything evenly in the dressing.
- Chill and serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute feta cheese with goat cheese or mozzarella for different flavor profiles.
- Dried cranberries can be replaced with other dried fruits such as cherries or raisins.
- For a nut-free option, replace sliced almonds with sunflower seeds.
- If you prefer a milder onion flavor, replace red onion with green onions or omit entirely.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey if you want a vegan-friendly dressing.
- Taste and adjust seasoning before serving to suit your preferences.
