Whole Wheat Pasta Salad with Feta Cheese, Spinach, and Walnuts

If you enjoy pasta salad, you will enjoy this healthy side dish.  This is perfect to bring along to a family dinner.

Ingredients:

1/2 pound whole-wheat fusilli or other spiral shaped pasta
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup diced red onion
1 1/2 cups chopped baby spinach leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Pinch of sea salt
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

1. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain the pasta, rinse it under cold water, and put it in the refrigerator to chill.
2. In a dry saute pan toast the walnuts in olive oil over a medium-high flame until they are fragrant, about 2 minutes. Set the walnuts aside to cool then chop them coarsely.
3. In a large bowl, toss together the chilled pasta, walnuts, feta cheese, onion, and spinach. In a small bowl whisk the oil, vinegar, garlic powder, and mustard. 
4. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.

Adapted from the Food Network