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Cranberry Rigatoni Salad with Lemon

Cranberry Rigatoni Salad with Lemon for a Fresh Twist

Enjoy a fresh twist with this Cranberry Rigatoni Salad with Lemon, combining pasta, feta, and vibrant ingredients for a delightful meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 57 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 ounces Rigatoni Pasta Adjust cooking time if substituting.
  • 6 ounces Feta Cheese (crumbled) Adds a creamy, tangy flavor.
  • 1 cup Dried Cranberries Fresh cranberries are too tart.
  • 1/2 cup Red Onion (finely chopped) Soaking can mellow the flavor.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (chopped) Cilantro or basil can be used as alternatives.
For the Lemon Vinaigrette
  • 1/3 cup Olive Oil Use extra virgin for richer taste.
  • 1/4 cup Lemon Juice Fresh is always best.
  • 1 tablespoon Honey Add gradually to taste.
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard Whole grain can be substituted.
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt Use sparingly as feta is salty.
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper Freshly cracked adds depth.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • Spatula

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to the package instructions, about 10–12 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, transfer the drained rigatoni and allow it to cool. Crumble the feta cheese and set aside.
  3. Add the dried cranberries and finely chopped red onion to the mixing bowl with the rigatoni. Toss gently to combine.
  4. Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the mixture and fold gently to distribute.
  5. In a separate bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until emulsified.
  6. Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta mixture and toss gently until everything is well coated.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 9gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 450mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 8mg

Notes

Letting the salad chill enhances the flavors. Consider varying ingredients such as nuts or different herbs for a unique twist.

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