This Cherry Balsamic Pasta Salad is packed with fresh cherries, red onion, and feta cheese, all topped with a light white balsamic dressing. Easy to make and bursting with flavor, this salad is the perfect summer dish to enjoy all season long!
It’s that time of year…kids are back to school and I can smell fall in the air.
Even though schools started in my area nearly two weeks ago, I always get that ‘back-to-school’ feeling when I step outside. I’ve mentioned this before, but this time of year is just so nostalgic for me!
The air has that fall-ish, school feel to me, even though it’s still hot outside. And the days are getting ever-so slightly shorter, and the mornings are staying darker just a little bit longer.
August may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean the summer salads have to stop, right?
I thought today would be the perfect opportunity to share with you one of my favorite summer stone fruits…cherries!
Cherries are delicious all on their own, or when added to pies, crisps, cobblers, and just about anything else. But, have you added cherries to pasta yet? The combination is incredible, and one that I wish I would’ve tried sooner.
Which brings me to this Cherry Balsamic Pasta Salad.
This simple pasta is packed with fresh cherries, red onion, and feta cheese, all topped with a light white balsamic dressing. Easy to make and bursting with flavor, this salad is the perfect summer dish to enjoy all season long!
If you’ve been hanging around here long enough, you may remember that I use white balsamic vinegar in most of my salads and bowls (this Corn and Tomato Salad and that Roasted Cauliflower, Mushroom and Chickpea Quinoa Bowl). It has a lighter taste and flavor than regular balsamic vinegar, which is perfect for not overpowering the rest of the ingredients.
So, of course, I had to use white balsamic vinegar in this Cherry Balsamic Pasta Salad. With only the addition of olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper, it’s the most deliciously light, yet flavorful dressing for the summer.
And then come the cherries! I used dark cherries for this pasta salad, which is perfect for not being overly sweet or too sour. And here’s a tip! If you don’t own a cherry pitter, an easy way to get the pits out is to take one end of a chop stick and push it through the stem. With a little finesse, the pit will pop right out! I’ve heard that a frosting piping tip will work too, but I haven’t tried that.
I also threw in some red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and a little parsley for a pop of color. Toss everything together with the pasta and your summer-in-a-bowl is just waiting to be devoured!
The sweet cherries, creamy feta, and tangy red onions provide the perfect amount of flavor that is sure to keep you coming back for more. So if you’re looking for that special dish to serve over Labor Day weekend, grab those cherries while they’re still in season and whip up this simple Cherry Balsamic Pasta Salad!
Looking for more pasta salads? I’ve got you covered!
Cherry Balsamic Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry farfalle pasta or any type that you prefer
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 ounces fresh dark cherries pitted and halved (about 3/4 cup halved cherries)
- ¼ red onion diced
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and immediately rinse under cold water.
- Add noodles to large bowl, along with olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, and garlic powder. Toss to coat.
- Add cherries, red onion, feta cheese, salt and pepper. Stir together. Add more white balsamic vinegar and/or salt and pepper, if needed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Blair says
I love anything that’s sweet and savory, so this pasta salad is calling my name. Perfect for a Labor Day weekend cookout!
Gayle says
Thanks, Blair!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
The kids around here not back to school yet, but there’s definitely that vibe. I can’t believe it. I’m actually starting to think forward to the holidays and everything! Crazy, huh?? Fall is my favourite season, though. Love that crisp feeling in the air and all the fall clothes, flavours and food.
This salad looks delicious Gayle! Never thought of pairing cherries in a pasta salad like that. How unique and I bet tasty! You probably know how much I love vinegar so this one is made for me. Pinned, of course. Have an awesome week 🙂
Gayle says
It’s crazy how fast the year flies by! I’ve already been testing holiday recipes, and time just needs to slow down. Thanks for the pasta salad love and pin, friend!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
The air started to feel fall-ish here yesterday, and the reality that fall is coming totally hit me. It makes me want to buy ALL the cherries and eat this scrumptious summery salad on repeat while I still can!! I just love this one, Gayle!! Cherries, feta AND white balsamic?! Yaaasss! Heaven in a bowl! Pinned! Cheers, friend!
Gayle says
Thanks for the sweet comment and pin, friend!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
I love the idea of pairing pasta with cherries! The combination sweet and savory is perfection! Though these last many weeks have been beautifully summer (not a gray sky in sight!), I have to admit – I’m looking forward to fall!
Gayle says
Thanks, Annie! I’m definitely looking forward to fall, too.
Sues says
I loveee the idea of adding cherries into pasta salad… So fun! This is so bright and cheery and makes me want summer to last forever 🙂
Gayle says
Thanks, Sues!
marcie says
I love cherries in desserts but they’re equally delicious in savory dishes! I love the flavors that you have here Gayle, this would be so perfect for Labor Day! I’m going to be so sad when cherries are out of season!
Gayle says
Thank you, Marcie! I’ll be so sad when cherries are gone, too!
ASHLEY - THE RECIPE REBEL says
We are obsessed with cherries here! I bet my girls would love this for lunch!
Gayle says
Definitely good for lunch!
mira says
Love cherries! This is a genius idea, can’t wait to try this salad! It does feel like fall outside, doesn’t it? 🙂
Gayle says
Thanks, Mira!
Karly says
Suddenly feeling the need to eat alllll the pasta salad before it’s shining time is over and gone. Bring on all the labor day feasts!
Gayle says
Haha me too! Thanks, Karly!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Cherries and balsamic is seriously a KILLER combination and this pasta salad is making me drool currently! Perfect for the upcoming Labor Day weekend!
Gayle says
Thanks, Sarah!
Keri | Fashionable Foods says
What a great looking pasta salad, Gayle! I love the combo of cherries with red onion and feta… so I just know it’s perfect tossed with pasta and white balsamic. In fact, I wish I had a big bowl right now!
Gayle says
Thank you, Keri! Cherries pair so well with white balsamic!
Manali@CookWithManali says
This salad sounds delicious Gayle, would also be perfect for the long weekend picnics and parties! 🙂
Gayle says
Definitely, Manali! Thanks!