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Feta & Cranberry Rigatoni Salad

Feta & Cranberry Rigatoni Salad That Dances with Flavor

This Feta & Cranberry Rigatoni Salad combines creamy feta and chewy cranberries with a zesty lemon vinaigrette for a refreshing dish perfect for gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 2 cups Rigatoni Pasta Substitute with penne or farfalle if desired.
  • 1 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled Goat cheese or ricotta salata are good alternatives.
  • 1 cup Dried Cranberries Opt for dried instead of fresh cranberries.
  • 1/2 cup Red Onion, finely chopped Soak in cold water before adding for a milder taste.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped Cilantro or mint can be swapped in.
For the Lemon Vinaigrette
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil Avocado oil or grapeseed oil can be used.
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice Freshly squeezed for best taste.
  • 1 tablespoon Honey Maple syrup can be used as a vegan alternative.
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard Optional for a milder vinaigrette.
  • to taste Salt & Black Pepper Adjust to elevate flavors.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Mixing bowl
  • Small Bowl
  • whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Boil the pasta by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, then add the rigatoni and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes.
  2. Drain the cooked rigatoni in a colander and rinse under cold water to cool it down.
  3. Transfer the cooled rigatoni to a mixing bowl and crumble the feta cheese over the pasta.
  4. Incorporate the dried cranberries and finely chopped red onion into the bowl, then toss gently.
  5. Add the chopped fresh parsley and fold it into the mixture.
  6. In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper for the vinaigrette.
  7. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, then refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
  9. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 150mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This salad is customizable with gluten-free pasta and alternative cheeses to suit dietary preferences.

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