Spring Pasta Strawberries Feta Arugula (Printable)

Sweet strawberries, tangy feta, and peppery arugula create a bright, vegetarian pasta main perfect for spring.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta, such as fusilli or farfalle
02 - Salt, for boiling water

→ Vegetables & 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 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
10 - 1 teaspoon honey
11 - Juice of 1/2 small lemon
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

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

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
02 - In a large salad bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until well blended.
03 - Add cooled pasta to the bowl and toss thoroughly with the dressing to coat.
04 - Fold in arugula, strawberries, cucumber, and spring onions. Gently toss to combine.
05 - Add crumbled feta cheese and chopped basil. Toss lightly to distribute evenly.
06 - Sprinkle toasted pine nuts over the salad just before serving if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a secret shortcut to impress anyone at a spring gathering with minimal effort.
  • The blend of strawberries and feta creates a contrast so addictive, you'll catch yourself sneaking extra bites straight from the bowl.
02 -
  • If you skip rinsing the pasta, the salad becomes sticky and loses its refreshing quality.
  • Tossing greens in only at the end keeps them from wilting and preserves their peppery bite.
03 -
  • Always let the salad chill for at least 20 minutes if you have time; flavors deepen beautifully.
  • Toasting pine nuts right before serving gives extra crunch and steps up the presentation.
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