This Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad is the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, all tossed in a light and zesty vinaigrette. It’s a vibrant, crowd-pleasing dish that’s incredibly easy to make. Whether you need a standout side for a holiday feast, a quick and satisfying lunch, or a reliable potluck contribution, this recipe is a guaranteed winner. The creamy feta, chewy dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans create a texture explosion in every bite.
We’ve designed this recipe to be simple, straightforward, and absolutely delicious. You get complex flavors without any complicated steps. Let’s dive in and make your new favorite pasta salad.
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad
- Incredibly Flavorful: The balance of sweet cranberries, salty feta, and a tangy dressing is simply irresistible.
- Quick and Easy: You can whip this salad up in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for last-minute meals.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: It’s elegant enough for a holiday dinner like Christmas but simple enough for a weekly meal prep. Speaking of holidays, our non-alcoholic Christmas punch (coming soon) is another festive favorite!
- Highly Customizable: Easily add chicken for protein, swap the nuts, or toss in some fresh greens to make it your own.
The Perfect Ingredients for This Salad
The magic of this dish lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this delicious Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad to life.
For the Salad
- Pasta: A short pasta shape like penne, rotini, or farfalle works best. They have plenty of nooks and crannies to catch the dressing and toppings.
- Feta Cheese: Use a block of feta and crumble it yourself for the best creamy texture and flavor.
- Dried Cranberries: These provide a delightful chewiness and a burst of sweetness to balance the salty feta.
- Pecans: Toasted pecans add a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor. Walnuts or slivered almonds are great substitutes.
- Green Onions: They add a mild, fresh onion flavor that complements the other ingredients without overpowering them.
For the Tangy Vinaigrette
- Olive Oil: The base of our dressing. Use a good quality extra-virgin olive oil for the best taste.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides the perfect tangy kick. White wine vinegar also works well.
- Dijon Mustard: Helps to emulsify the dressing, keeping the oil and vinegar mixed.
- Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity of the vinegar. You can also use maple syrup.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, to enhance all the flavors.
How to Make Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad Step-by-Step
Making this salad is as easy as 1-2-3. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Make the Vinaigrette: While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
- Combine Everything: In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, crumbled feta, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and chopped green onions. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
Tips for the Best Pasta Salad
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta just until al dente. Mushy pasta will fall apart when tossed and won’t hold its texture.
- Rinse the Pasta: Rinsing the pasta with cold water is crucial. It stops the cooking and removes excess starch, preventing the salad from becoming gummy.
- Toast the Nuts: Toasting the pecans for a few minutes in a dry skillet brings out their nutty flavor and makes them extra crunchy.
- Let it Marinate: For the best flavor, let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to meld together. If you love feta, our Green Olive Feta Dip is another must-try.
Easy Variations to Try
This Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad recipe is fantastic as is, but it’s also a great canvas for creativity. Here are a few ideas:
- Add a Protein: Stir in shredded rotisserie chicken, chickpeas, or grilled shrimp to make it a more substantial main course. For a delicious chicken idea, check out our Hot Honey Feta Chicken.
- Include Greens: Toss in a few handfuls of fresh spinach or arugula for added color and nutrients. The peppery bite of arugula is a great contrast.
- Swap the Cheese: If you’re not a fan of feta, crumbled goat cheese or small fresh mozzarella balls would also be delicious.
- Try a Different Nut: Toasted walnuts, slivered almonds, or even pumpkin seeds would work wonderfully.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
This pasta salad is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare it a day in advance; in fact, the flavors get even better as they sit. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you make it ahead, you may want to reserve half of the dressing to add just before serving to freshen it up, as the pasta will absorb some of it overnight.
Leftovers will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. I do not recommend freezing this salad, as the texture of the pasta and cheese will change upon thawing.
What to Serve With Your Pasta Salad
This versatile salad pairs well with a variety of main courses. It’s a perfect side for grilled chicken, baked salmon, or a juicy steak. It’s also a star at barbecues alongside burgers and hot dogs. For a simple lunch, pair it with a cup of White Chicken Lasagna Soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! This salad is perfect for making up to one day in advance. For the best texture, you can store the salad and the dressing separately and combine them just before serving.
When stored in an airtight container, this pasta salad will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will continue to meld, and it makes for great leftovers.
To make this a heartier main dish, you can add grilled or shredded chicken, canned chickpeas (rinsed and drained), or even some cooked shrimp. They all pair wonderfully with the existing flavors.
A light vinaigrette is the best choice. Our recipe uses a simple apple cider vinaigrette with a touch of honey and Dijon mustard, which perfectly complements the sweet cranberries and salty feta without being too heavy.
Short pasta shapes with ridges or curves are ideal as they hold the dressing and small ingredients well. We recommend penne, rotini, farfalle (bow-tie), or fusilli.
Get the Full Recipe Below!
Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad (The Only Recipe You'll Need)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water until cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until fully combined and emulsified.
- In a large serving bowl, add the cooled pasta, crumbled feta, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and green onions. Pour the vinaigrette over top and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Notes
Make-Ahead: The salad can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Keep the dressing separate and toss just before serving for the best texture.
We hope you love this Cranberry Feta Pasta Salad as much as we do! It’s a fresh, flavorful, and incredibly versatile dish that’s sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. Don’t forget to share it on Pinterest for others to discover!
