Spring Pasta Strawberries Feta Arugula (Print-Friendly)

Sweet strawberries, feta, and arugula elevate this fresh spring salad for a light lunch or seasonal gathering.

# 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 - 1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
10 - 1 teaspoon honey
11 - Juice of 0.5 small lemon
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

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

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente following package directions. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water.
02 - In a large salad bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified.
03 - Add the cooled pasta to the bowl and toss thoroughly with the dressing to coat evenly.
04 - Fold in arugula, strawberries, cucumber, and spring onions. Gently toss to incorporate all components.
05 - Scatter crumbled feta and chopped basil over the salad. Toss lightly to disperse.
06 - Sprinkle toasted pine nuts if using. Serve immediately or chill for up to 1 hour before presenting.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The strawberry-feta combo is surprisingly addictive, and you'll want seconds.
  • You can throw it together fast and serve it for lunch or take it to any spring potluck without stress.
02 -
  • If you skip rinsing the pasta in cold water, the salad can turn sticky and heavy.
  • Adding strawberries last helps them keep their shape and stay juicy, instead of becoming mushy from over-mixing.
03 -
  • Let the pasta dry well after rinsing so the dressing isn't diluted.
  • Lightly bruising basil with your hands before adding it makes its aroma even richer.
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