Raspberry Spinach Feta Pasta Salad (Printable View)
Light summer pasta with fresh berries, spinach, and feta in tangy vinaigrette
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 7 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
02 - 1 teaspoon salt for boiling water
→ Vegetables & Fruit
03 - 3.5 oz baby spinach, washed and dried
04 - 4.5 oz fresh raspberries
05 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1 small cucumber, diced
→ Cheese & Nuts
07 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, crumbled
08 - 1 oz toasted walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped (optional)
→ Dressing
09 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 tablespoon raspberry vinegar or red wine vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste
# Cooking Steps:
01 - Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool completely.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified and smooth.
03 - Place cooled pasta, spinach, red onion, cucumber, and half the raspberries in a large salad bowl. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
04 - Pour vinaigrette over the salad mixture and toss gently until all ingredients are lightly coated.
05 - Scatter crumbled feta, remaining raspberries, and toasted nuts (if using) over the top.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving. Best enjoyed fresh while raspberries retain their texture.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Raspberries stay juicy and bright instead of turning mushy like you might expect
- The vinaigrette doubles as a marinade so every bite pops with flavor
- It comes together in under 30 minutes but looks like you spent forever on it
02 -
- Rinse the pasta under cold water until it is genuinely cool to the touch or it will wilt the spinach into sadness
- Add the dressing right before serving because the spinach will start to break down after about an hour
03 -
- Pat your spinach completely dry or the water will dilute your dressing
- Use a vegetable peeler to shave extra feta on top for an impressive presentation