Description
This Autumn Apple Pasta Salad is a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors, combining tender pasta with crisp apples, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and creamy feta. Tossed in a tangy and slightly sweet dressing made from mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and apple cider vinegar, it’s a refreshing and colorful salad ideal for fall gatherings or as a festive side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini or bowtie pasta
- 1 large Honeycrisp or Fuji apple, chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted
- ½ cup celery, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing
- â…“ cup mayonnaise
- â…“ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Prepare the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down for the salad.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the cooled pasta to the dressing bowl, then fold in the chopped apple, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, sliced celery, finely chopped red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together and enhances the overall taste.
- Serve: Before serving, toss the salad once more. Optionally, sprinkle a few reserved toasted pecans on top for extra crunch. Serve the pasta salad cold as a refreshing side dish.
Notes
- For added crunch, reserve a few toasted pecans to sprinkle on top just before serving.
- Substitute walnuts for pecans and goat cheese for feta if desired for a different flavor profile.
