Easy Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad with Feta
Prepare this simple, fresh pasta salad featuring strawberries, spinach, feta cheese, and a light balsamic dressing. It is a quick side dish perfect for summer meals or potlucks.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No Cook (Assembly)
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (rotini or penne)
- 5 oz fresh baby spinach
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
- 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool completely.
- While the pasta cools, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, baby spinach, sliced strawberries, crumbled feta cheese, and sliced red onion.
- Pour the prepared balsamic dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Toss gently until all components are evenly coated.
- Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- You can prepare the dressing and chop the fruit and onion up to one day ahead. Store them separately.
- If making ahead, add the spinach just before serving to prevent it from wilting too much.
- For extra texture, add 1/2 cup of toasted pecans or slivered almonds.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 20