Spring Pasta Strawberries Feta Arugula (Printer-friendly)

A fresh blend of strawberries, feta, arugula, and pasta makes a colorful, flavor-packed addition to your table.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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, to taste

→ Garnish

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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
02 - In a large salad bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
03 - Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing and toss to coat thoroughly.
04 - Fold in arugula, strawberries, diced cucumber, and sliced spring onions. Toss gently to combine.
05 - Add crumbled feta cheese and chopped basil. Toss lightly to distribute.
06 - Just before serving, sprinkle with toasted pine nuts if desired. Serve immediately or chill up to 1 hour before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It’s a not-so-secret trick to making busy weeknights taste like a weekend picnic.
  • The sweet and savory combo keeps every bite interesting, which is why I crave it even on dreary days.
02 -
  • Once, I skipped rinsing the pasta and got a clumpy salad—never again, trust me.
  • Swapping feta for goat cheese on a whim made it extra creamy and new; don’t be afraid to play.
03 -
  • Always season and taste throughout—you can’t take salt out, but you can always add more.
  • Mismatched bowls and a big grin somehow make serving and sharing this even more fun.
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