Spring Pasta Strawberries Feta (Printable Version)

Fresh pasta, strawberries, feta, and arugula tossed in a tangy dressing for a light, flavorful spring lunch.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta (fusilli or farfalle preferred)
02 - Salt, for boiling water

→ Vegetables and Greens

03 - 3.5 oz fresh arugula
04 - 9 oz strawberries, hulled and quartered
05 - 1 small cucumber, diced
06 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced

→ Cheese

07 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, crumbled

→ Dressing

08 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1.5 tbsp balsamic vinegar
10 - 1 tsp honey
11 - Juice of 0.5 small lemon
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
14 - 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse thoroughly under cold water to cool completely.
02 - In a large salad bowl, vigorously whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until emulsified.
03 - Add cooled pasta to the bowl and gently toss to evenly coat with dressing.
04 - Fold in arugula, quartered strawberries, diced cucumber, and sliced spring onions. Toss carefully to combine without bruising delicate ingredients.
05 - Add crumbled feta cheese and chopped basil. Toss lightly to distribute evenly.
06 - If using, sprinkle with toasted pine nuts just before serving. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This salad is the kind of showstopper that secretly takes very little work—your friends will assume hours of labor, but you know better.
  • The way sweet strawberries mingle with creamy feta and zippy arugula delivers a flavor punch guaranteed to wake up your lunch routine.
02 -
  • If you mix the feta too aggressively, it melts into a paste and muddies the salad, so be gentle at the end.
  • Letting the pasta cool properly before tossing prevents a gummy texture—self-control at this stage pays off.
03 -
  • Toss the ingredients with your hands for the ultimate control—it's messier, but you feel every texture coming together.
  • Reducing the balsamic slightly in a pan intensifies its sweetness and makes a luxurious drizzle for serving.
Return