Feta & Cranberry Rigatoni Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette Recipe
A refreshing Mediterranean-inspired Rigatoni Salad featuring tangy feta cheese, sweet dried cranberries, crisp cucumber, and vibrant cherry tomatoes, tossed in a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for a light lunch or a colorful side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
Salad
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup cucumber, diced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon Vinaigrette
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook for about 10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and stop cooking.
- Prepare the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey (if using), salt, and pepper until emulsified and well combined.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled rigatoni, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes. Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad.
- Toss the salad: Gently toss all ingredients together to ensure even coating without breaking the pasta or cheese.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the salad just before serving for a fresh and colorful finish.
Notes
- For added crunch, consider adding toasted pine nuts or walnuts.
- Prepare the vinaigrette ahead and refrigerate to let flavors meld.
- This salad can be served chilled or at room temperature.
- Optional honey in vinaigrette balances the tartness but can be omitted for a vegan or less sweet option.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Keywords: Rigatoni salad, feta cheese salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, lemon vinaigrette, cranberry pasta salad, easy pasta salad recipe
