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Creamy healthy apple pecan pasta salad with whole wheat rotini, chopped red apples, celery, dried cranberries, pecans, red onion, feta cheese, and herbs in a creamy dressing.

Healthy Apple Pecan Pasta Salad

Nesting Lane
Healthy Apple Pecan Pasta Salad is a fall pasta salad with apples, pecans, cranberries, feta, and a creamy apple cider dressing.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Equipment

Large Pot
Colander
Cutting Board
Sharp Knife
Large Mixing Bowl
Small Mixing Bowl
Whisk

Ingredients
 

  • 8 ounces whole wheat rotini pasta
  • 2 large apples chopped
  • ¾ cup celery chopped
  • ⅓ cup red onion finely chopped
  • ½ cup dried cranberries roughly chopped
  • ½ cup chopped pecans
  • ⅓ cup reduced-fat feta cheese crumbled
  • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

For the Creamy Apple Cider Dressing:

Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
  • Drain the pasta in a colander. Rinse the pasta under cold water. Drain well.
  • Add the cooled pasta, apples, celery, red onion, dried cranberries, pecans, feta cheese, and parsley to a large mixing bowl.
  • In a small mixing bowl, add the Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Using a wire whisk, mix the dressing until smooth.
  • Pour the dressing over the pasta salad. Toss until the pasta and other ingredients are evenly coated.
  • Cover the bowl. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
  • Stir before serving.

Notes

Tips and Tricks

Choose firm apples - Use apples with a crisp texture so they hold their shape after the salad is mixed and chilled.
Chop the apples close to assembly time - Apples begin to brown after they are cut. Preparing them shortly before mixing helps keep their color.
Keep the pieces bite-sized - Chop the apples and celery into pieces that are close in size to the rotini so each serving has a balanced mix.
Check the dressing after chilling - Pasta can absorb some of the dressing as it rests. Stir the salad well before serving to redistribute it.
Save a few pecans for later - If you prefer more crunch, reserve some of the pecans and add them shortly before serving.

Storing

Store in the Refrigerator - Place the pasta salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Stir Before Serving - The dressing may settle or absorb into the pasta during storage. Stir the salad before serving.
Keep It Cold - Because the dressing contains Greek yogurt and mayonnaise, return leftovers to the refrigerator promptly after serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 319kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 14gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 296mgPotassium: 216mgFiber: 9gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 221IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 4mg
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