Whole Wheat Pasta Salad with Walnuts and Feta
Elevate your lunch or dinner with this vibrant Whole Wheat Pasta Salad with Walnuts and Feta, a wholesome and flavor-packed dish perfect for healthy eating! Made with hearty whole wheat pasta, protein-rich walnuts, creamy crumbled feta cheese, and a medley of fresh veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and baby spinach, this salad is as nutritious as it is delicious. The zesty homemade dressing, featuring olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a hint of garlic, ties everything together with a delightful tang. Toasted walnuts add a warm, nutty crunch, while the feta provides a savory, tangy kick. Ready in just 25 minutes, this refreshing pasta salad is ideal for meal prep, picnics, or as a light main course. Enjoy it chilled or fresh for a burst of Mediterranean-inspired goodness in every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams whole wheat pasta
- 60 grams walnuts (roughly chopped)
- 100 grams feta cheese (crumbled)
- 200 grams cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 150 grams cucumber (diced)
- 100 grams baby spinach leaves
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the whole wheat pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool, then set aside.
While the pasta cooks, toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
Prepare the dressing by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, baby spinach leaves, toasted walnuts, and crumbled feta cheese.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Transfer the pasta salad to a serving dish or bowls. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to chill before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
360 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 26.4 g | 34% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.1 g | 31% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 22 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 580 mg | 25% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 25.0 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.6 g | 20% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.0 g | ||
| Protein | 11.1 g | 22% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 187 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 2.6 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 454 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
