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feta & cranberry rigatoni salad with lemon vinaigrette recipe - Feta & Cranberry Rigatoni Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette served in a white bowl overhead view
Chloe

Feta & Cranberry Rigatoni Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

feta & cranberry rigatoni salad with lemon vinaigrette recipe made easy at home. A vibrant Mediterranean pasta salad with creamy feta, tart cranberries, crunc
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 oz rigatoni pasta or other short pasta
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese about 4 oz
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup walnuts roughly chopped
  • 1 English cucumber diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
For the Lemon Vinaigrette
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice from about 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper or to taste

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Let cool completely.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a small dry skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped walnuts and toast, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake until well emulsified.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rigatoni, crumbled feta, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, diced cucumber, and chopped parsley. Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the top and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl. Garnish with extra parsley or a few whole walnuts if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.