Best 6 Cranberry And Almond Pasta Salad Recipes

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Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our tantalizing Cranberry and Almond Pasta Salad. This vibrant dish bursts with a symphony of flavors and textures, making it a perfect accompaniment to any summer gathering or light lunch. The sweetness of dried cranberries harmonizes with the nutty crunch of toasted almonds, while fresh parsley adds a vibrant pop of color and herbaceousness. Dressed in a tangy vinaigrette, this pasta salad is a delightful dance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes. Accompanying this main recipe, you'll also find a delectable variation featuring goat cheese and honey, adding an extra layer of creamy richness and subtle sweetness. For a vegan alternative, we offer a dairy-free version that swaps out the goat cheese for creamy avocado and a touch of lemon juice, resulting in a vibrant and refreshing salad. Additionally, we've included a gluten-free option, replacing the traditional pasta with quinoa for a healthier and equally satisfying twist. Whichever variation you choose, this versatile pasta salad promises to be a hit at your next gathering.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES AND ALMONDS



Salad with Cranberries and Almonds image

The cranberries and spicy almonds give this salad a sweet, spicy kick.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 pound (2 large) carrots, peeled and shaved with a vegetable peeler
12 ounces mixed greens
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup Sweet and Spicy Almonds or toasted unblanched almonds
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon white-wine vinegar
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
4 teaspoons olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, toss carrots, greens, and half the cranberries and almonds. In a small bowl, whisk vinegar, mustard, and oil.
  • Drizzle salad with vinaigrette; season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Garnish with remaining cranberries and almonds.

CRANBERRY ALMOND SPINACH SALAD



Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad image

A festive flavorful Spinach Salad! With these pretty red and green colors this is the perfect salad to serve for a Christmas party. It has the perfect blend of sweet, savory, toasted flavor and crunchy goodness. You'll love every last bite of it!

Provided by Jaclyn

Categories     Salad

Time 18m

Number Of Ingredients 11

16 oz baby spinach
1 cup sliced almonds, (toasted)
1 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 Tbsp white sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
3 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp finely minced shallot
2 Tbsp sesame seeds (, toasted)
1 Tbsp poppy seeds ((optional))

Steps:

  • For the dressing: In a bowl or jar whisk together white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar and sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Stir in olive oil, honey, shallot, sesame seeds and optional poppy seeds until mixture is well blended.
  • For the salad: Add spinach, almonds and cranberries to a salad bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss. Serve immediately after adding dressing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 344 kcal, Carbohydrate 30 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 24 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 47 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 21 g, ServingSize 1 serving

CRANBERRY-SESAME SPINACH SALAD



Cranberry-Sesame Spinach Salad image

For a feast or any occasion, we love this snappy fall salad that balances sweet and sour with good crunch from almonds and sesame seeds. -Stephanie Smoley, Rochester, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 teaspoon butter
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
2-1/2 cups fresh baby spinach
2 tablespoons dried cranberries
DRESSING:
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion
1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds
1/8 teaspoon salt
Dash paprika

Steps:

  • In a small skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Add almonds; cook and stir until lightly browned. Remove from heat., Place spinach and cranberries in a bowl. In a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients until blended. Add to salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with toasted almonds. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 257 calories, Fat 21g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 207mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

CRANBERRY-ALMOND GREEN SALAD WITH HONEY MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE



Cranberry-Almond Green Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette image

Crumble blue cheese over the top of this simple salad for a nice complement to the nuts and fruit.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Salad Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 head Boston lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
1/4 cup toasted, sliced almonds
1/4 cup dried red cranberries
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Dash of honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3/4 cup olive oil
Coarse salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 ounces blue cheese (optional)

Steps:

  • In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce, almonds, and cranberries.
  • In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine mustard, honey, lemon juice, and olive oil. Cover tightly and shake well to combine and emulsify. Add salt and pepper to taste, and shake again before serving.
  • Pour dressing on salad and toss salad to coat. Crumble blue cheese on top, if using.

CRANBERRY ALMOND SPINACH SALAD



Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad image

If you want something new to try for your Thanksgiving menu, toss this salad together. Fresh spinach leaves are tossed with toasted almonds and dried cranberries and drizzled with poppy seed dressing. It's likely to become a holiday tradition at your house, too. -Michelle Krzmarzick Torrance, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried minced onion
3/4 teaspoon poppy seeds
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup canola oil
10 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 12 cups)
3/4 cup dried cranberries
2 green onions, sliced
3/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Steps:

  • Whisk together first 6 ingredients; gradually whisk in oil. In a large bowl, toss spinach, cranberries and green onions with dressing; sprinkle with almonds. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 121 calories, Fat 8g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 19mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

CRANBERRY ALMOND LETTUCE SALAD



Cranberry Almond Lettuce Salad image

Make and share this Cranberry Almond Lettuce Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Chris from Kansas

Categories     Greens

Time 20m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 head romaine lettuce, torn
1 bunch fresh spinach, torn
1 cup dried cranberries
3 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup glazed almonds (instructions below)
3/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sugar
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Steps:

  • Combine dresssing ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake well.
  • Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl.
  • In a sauce pan or skillet combine sugar and almonds.
  • Stir constantly until nuts are glazed.
  • Be very careful not to burn.
  • Pour nuts on waxed paper separating them to cool.
  • Mix dressing with lettuce and top with almonds to serve.

Tips:

  • Use fresh cranberries for the best flavor. If you can't find fresh cranberries, you can use frozen cranberries that have been thawed.
  • Toast the almonds before adding them to the salad. This will give them a richer flavor.
  • Use a light vinaigrette dressing for the salad. A heavy dressing will overpower the delicate flavors of the cranberries and almonds.
  • Serve the salad immediately after it is made. The cranberries will start to lose their color and flavor if they sit for too long.

Conclusion:

This cranberry and almond pasta salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that is perfect for a summer picnic or potluck. It is also a healthy salad that is packed with nutrients. The cranberries are a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants, while the almonds are a good source of protein and healthy fats. This salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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