Meet your new favorite holiday side dish: the ultimate Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad. This recipe is the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, all tossed together in a simple yet elegant pasta salad that’s as easy to make as it is delicious. Whether you’re planning for a festive gathering or just need a quick and satisfying lunch, this salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Its vibrant colors and fresh taste will brighten any table.
We combine tender pasta, creamy feta cheese, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, all brought together with a light and zesty vinaigrette. It’s a celebration of textures and flavors in every single bite. Let’s dive in and make this simple yet impressive dish.
Why This Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad Recipe Works
You’ll fall in love with this recipe for so many reasons. It’s incredibly versatile and requires minimal effort for a huge flavor payoff. This isn’t just another pasta salad; it’s a dish that feels special enough for a celebration but is simple enough for a weeknight.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The creamy, salty feta cheese is the perfect counterpoint to the sweet, chewy dried cranberries. Add in the crunch of toasted walnuts and the freshness of spinach, and you have a truly harmonious dish.
- Incredibly Versatile: This salad is fantastic on its own for a light lunch, but it also shines as a side dish for grilled chicken, turkey, or pork. Thinking of holiday meals? It’s a stunning addition to any Thanksgiving or Christmas spread. For another festive side, consider these Cranberry Brie Bites.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare this salad ahead of time, making it a stress-free option for entertaining. The flavors actually get even better as they meld together in the fridge.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad uses simple, fresh ingredients that are easy to find. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Pasta Salad:
- Pasta: 12 ounces of a short pasta like fusilli, rotini, or farfalle. The ridges are perfect for catching the dressing.
- Feta Cheese: 6 ounces of crumbled feta cheese. For the best flavor, buy a block and crumble it yourself.
- Dried Cranberries: 1 cup of sweetened dried cranberries for that perfect pop of sweetness and chewy texture.
- Walnuts: 3/4 cup of chopped walnuts, lightly toasted to bring out their nutty flavor.
- Baby Spinach: 3 cups of fresh baby spinach, which adds a mild, fresh flavor and vibrant color.
- Red Onion: 1/4 cup of finely diced red onion for a hint of sharp, savory flavor.
For the Poppy Seed Vinaigrette:
- Olive Oil: 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil serves as the base of our dressing.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: 1/4 cup provides a tangy kick that cuts through the richness.
- Honey: 2 tablespoons of honey (or maple syrup) to balance the acidity.
- Dijon Mustard: 1 tablespoon helps to emulsify the dressing and adds a layer of flavor.
- Poppy Seeds: 1 tablespoon adds a subtle crunch and classic look.
- Salt & Black Pepper: To taste, to enhance all the flavors.
How to Make Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad Step-by-Step
Making this salad is a breeze. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time. From cooking the pasta to tossing it all together, the process is straightforward and quick.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain it well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
- Toast the Walnuts: Place the chopped walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and let them cool.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, fresh spinach, and diced red onion.
- Dress and Toss: Pour the vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated and the spinach is just starting to wilt slightly. For another delicious cranberry dish, you might enjoy this Cranberry Orange Glazed Chicken.
- Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, cover the salad and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Expert Tips and Variations
Want to take your Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad to the next level? Here are some expert tips and creative variations to try.
Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta just until it’s al dente. Mushy pasta will fall apart and won’t hold up well in the salad.
- Rinse the Pasta: Rinsing the pasta with cold water is a crucial step. It stops the cooking process and removes excess starch, which prevents the salad from becoming gummy.
- Use Quality Feta: A block of feta packed in brine will have a much creamier texture and richer flavor than pre-crumbled varieties.
- Let It Marinate: Allowing the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving is key. This gives the pasta time to absorb the delicious flavors of the vinaigrette.
Creative Variations
- Add Protein: Turn this into a complete meal by adding shredded rotisserie chicken, grilled shrimp, or a can of chickpeas for a vegetarian option. This Feta and Cranberry Chickpea Salad is another great choice.
- Switch up the Nuts: Not a fan of walnuts? Toasted pecans, sliced almonds, or even pumpkin seeds would be delicious substitutes.
- Try Different Greens: Swap the spinach for arugula to add a peppery bite, or use a spring mix for more variety.
- Cheese Swaps: If feta isn’t your thing, goat cheese or blue cheese would also work wonderfully.
How to Store Leftover Pasta Salad
This salad is great for meal prep and leftovers are just as delicious the next day. To store it, place the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
If the pasta seems a little dry after a day or two, you can refresh it with a small drizzle of olive oil or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving. I do not recommend freezing this salad, as the texture of the pasta and spinach will become unpleasant upon thawing.
What to Serve with Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad
This versatile salad pairs wonderfully with a variety of main courses. It’s the perfect side dish for holiday meals, summer barbecues, or simple weeknight dinners.
- Holiday Dinners: Serve it alongside roasted turkey, glazed ham, or this Cranberry Glazed Pork Tenderloin.
- Grilled Meats: It’s a fantastic companion to grilled chicken breasts, pork chops, or steak.
- Simple Lunches: Enjoy a larger portion on its own or pair it with a cup of soup for a light and satisfying lunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Certainly. If you have a nut allergy or simply prefer a different flavor, you can substitute the walnuts with toasted pecans, slivered almonds, or even shelled pumpkin seeds (pepitas) for a nut-free option.
Yes, adding grilled or shredded rotisserie chicken is a fantastic way to turn this side dish into a complete and hearty meal. About 2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken would be a great addition.
Yes, absolutely! This salad is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance. For the best results, store the dressing separately and toss it with the salad just before serving to keep the spinach fresh and crisp.
When stored in an airtight container, this pasta salad will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to meld, and it makes for delicious leftovers.
Short pasta shapes with plenty of ridges or curves are best for this salad because they hold the dressing and ingredients well. We recommend fusilli, rotini, farfalle (bow-tie), or penne.
The Perfect Salad for Any Occasion
This Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of flavor, texture, and color that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s a dish you’ll find yourself making again and again. We hope you love it as much as we do!
If you make this recipe, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below and share your creation with us on Pinterest!
Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad
Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad: A Perfect Holiday Side Dish
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain it well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and poppy seeds in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
- Toast the Walnuts: Place the chopped walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and let them cool.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, fresh spinach, and diced red onion.
- Dress and Toss: Pour the vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated and the spinach is just starting to wilt slightly.
- Chill and Serve: For the best flavor, cover the salad and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Notes
Tip 2: Don't skip rinsing the cooked pasta in cold water; it prevents the salad from becoming sticky.
Tip 3: Let the salad marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to deepen.
