Bright, fresh, and crowd-pleasing
This feta cranberry rigatoni salad with lemon vinaigrette is the kind of recipe that disappears fast at potlucks and family dinners. Tender rigatoni is tossed with tangy feta, sweet dried cranberries, and a zesty lemon dressing that keeps everything light and refreshing. It’s perfect for meal prep, summer gatherings, or an easy lunch that feels a little fancy without extra effort. Made with simple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, this pasta salad is a go-to for busy days when you still want bold flavor and vibrant color on the table.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Servings: 6
📝 Ingredients List
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- ⅓ cup red onion, finely diced
- ½ cup cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large pot
- Colander
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Large mixing bowl
- Small bowl or jar for dressing
- Whisk or fork
Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and rinse briefly with cool water to stop the cooking. Let it drain well.
- While the pasta cools, dice the red onion and cucumber, and chop the parsley.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth and glossy. 🍋
- Add cooled pasta to a large bowl. Toss in cranberries, feta, red onion, cucumber, and parsley.
- Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss until evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Chill for 10–15 minutes before serving for best flavor ✨
💡 Pro Tips
- Make ahead: This salad tastes even better after resting in the fridge for a few hours.
- Extra crunch: Add toasted walnuts or sliced almonds just before serving.
- Creamier texture: Stir in a spoonful of Greek yogurt or extra feta.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.