Raspberry Spinach Feta Pasta Salad (Printable version)

Vibrant summer dish with fresh raspberries, spinach, feta, and zesty vinaigrette

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 7 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
02 - 1 tsp 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 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 tbsp raspberry vinegar or red wine vinegar
12 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Boil pasta in salted water until al dente according to package directions. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking and cool completely.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified and smooth.
03 - Place cooled pasta, baby spinach, sliced red onion, diced cucumber, and half the raspberries in a large serving bowl.
04 - Pour vinaigrette over the pasta mixture. Toss gently with salad utensils until evenly coated without crushing delicate ingredients.
05 - Scatter crumbled feta, remaining fresh raspberries, and toasted nuts across the top. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2 hours before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The raspberries add a natural sweetness that balances the tangy feta without any processed sugar
  • This salad actually tastes better after the flavors mingle for an hour in the fridge
  • It travels beautifully and stays fresh at room temperature for hours
02 -
  • Rinse pasta thoroughly under cold water until no warmth remains or it will wilt the spinach
  • Add dressing just before serving to prevent raspberries from breaking down too quickly
  • The vinegar choice matters significantly for the final flavor balance
03 -
  • Pat raspberries dry gently with paper towels before adding to prevent diluted dressing
  • Let the dressed salad rest 15 minutes before serving for the deepest flavor integration

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