Description

Looking for a fresh and satisfying dish that doubles as a light lunch or vibrant dinner idea? This *Healthy Feta and Cranberry Penne Salad with Orange Vinaigrette* is a quick, easy recipe that’s full of bold flavors and contrasting textures. It combines tender pasta, peppery arugula, tangy feta cheese, and crunchy pecans with sweet cranberries and a bright citrus dressing — making it a perfect healthy snack or colorful addition to your food ideas collection. Whether you’re prepping meals for the week or bringing a dish to a picnic, this is the ideal combo of delicious and nutritious!

Ingredients

8 oz penne pasta

4 cups fresh arugula

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/3 cup toasted pecans, chopped

Salt and black pepper, to taste

1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 tsp honey or maple syrup

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water.

2. In a small bowl or jar, combine orange juice, olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake until emulsified.

3. Toast chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes until golden and fragrant. Set aside.

4. In a large bowl, combine pasta, arugula, cranberries, feta, and toasted pecans.

5. Drizzle the orange vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine.

6. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper. Garnish with extra toppings if desired and serve.

Notes

Let pasta cool before tossing with greens to avoid wilting.

Toasting the pecans enhances flavor and texture.

For best results, add dressing just before serving if making in advance.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 410
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 240mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 9g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: easy dinner, quick lunch, healthy salad, pasta salad, summer salad, vegetarian recipe, orange vinaigrette, arugula salad