Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad

$- 8 oz bowtie pasta - 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled - 1/4 cup almonds, toasted and roughly chopped - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced - 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette - Salt and pepper to taste Each ingredient plays a key role in the flavor. Bowtie pasta adds texture and shape. Fresh spinach brings a nice crunch and color. Strawberries add sweetness and juiciness. Feta cheese gives a creamy, salty bite. Toasted almonds add a nutty flavor and crunch. Red onion offers a sharp contrast. Balsamic vinaigrette ties it all together with tang. Salt and pepper enhance the taste. You can easily swap ingredients based on what you like. Use rotini or penne instead of bowtie pasta. Kale or arugula can replace spinach. If strawberries aren’t in season, try raspberries or blueberries. Goat cheese works well in place of feta. Walnuts or pecans are tasty alternatives to almonds. For a different dressing, try a honey mustard or ranch. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start with a large pot. Fill it with water and add salt. Bring the water to a boil. Add 8 oz of bowtie pasta to the pot. Cook the pasta for about 8 to 10 minutes. You want it to be al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water. This stops the cooking. Let it cool in a bowl while you prep the other ingredients. While the pasta cooks, wash and slice the strawberries. You need about 1 cup of sliced strawberries. Next, take 4 cups of fresh spinach and chop it roughly. Crumble 1/2 cup of feta cheese into small pieces. Toast 1/4 cup of almonds in a pan, then chop them roughly. Finally, thinly slice 1/4 cup of red onion. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped spinach, sliced strawberries, crumbled feta, toasted almonds, and red onion. Drizzle 1/4 cup of balsamic vinaigrette over the top. Gently toss the salad to mix everything well. Taste it and add salt and pepper to your liking. Toss again to make sure every bite has flavor. If you have time, chill the salad in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors blend. Enjoy your fresh and colorful salad! Cooking pasta well is key. Use a large pot with plenty of water. Add salt to the water; it should taste like the sea. Once the water boils, add your bowtie pasta. Stir it gently to keep it from sticking. Follow the package instructions for cooking time. Aim for al dente, which gives a nice bite. After cooking, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water. This stops the cooking and cools it down quickly. To make your salad pop, enhance the flavors. Fresh ingredients will shine in this dish. Use ripe strawberries for the best sweetness. Feta cheese adds a salty note that contrasts nicely. Toasted almonds give crunch and a nutty flavor. For a tangy kick, balsamic vinaigrette is perfect. Drizzle it over the salad just before serving. You can adjust the salt and pepper to fit your taste. First impressions matter, so present your salad well. Use a large bowl to mix all the ingredients. When serving, place the salad in individual plates. Garnish with extra sliced strawberries on top. A sprinkle of feta cheese adds a nice touch. Consider using colorful plates to make the dish stand out. This salad looks as good as it tastes, making it a hit at any summer gathering. Pro Tips Perfect Pasta: To prevent the pasta from becoming mushy, make sure to cook it just until al dente. Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh strawberries and spinach for the best flavor and texture. If possible, opt for organic produce. Custom Dressing: Feel free to customize the dressing! A splash of lemon juice or a teaspoon of honey can enhance the flavor of balsamic vinaigrette. Chill for Flavor: Letting the salad chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. {{image_2}} You can switch up the ingredients based on what you have. In summer, use ripe peaches instead of strawberries. In fall, try adding diced apples or pears. You can also swap spinach for arugula or kale for a different taste. Each fruit and green brings its own flavor, making the salad fun and fresh. This salad is easy to make vegetarian or vegan. Simply leave out the feta cheese for a vegan option. You can replace it with avocado or a vegan cheese. For a creamy touch, try adding a dollop of hummus. The salad will still taste great without cheese. If you want to boost the protein, add grilled chicken or shrimp. Tofu works well for a vegetarian choice. You could also sprinkle on chickpeas or cannellini beans for a hearty touch. These protein additions make the salad filling and satisfying, perfect for a meal. Store any leftover Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad in an airtight container. Place it in the fridge. The salad will taste best if eaten within three days. Keep the salad cool. If you have extra dressing, store it separately. This helps keep the salad fresh and prevents it from getting soggy. When you’re ready to eat, just drizzle the dressing on top and toss. I don’t recommend freezing this salad. The fresh ingredients will lose their texture. It’s best to enjoy it fresh. If you want a make-ahead option, prepare the salad, but leave out the dressing. Then, store it in the fridge. Add the dressing right before serving for the best taste. Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time. I suggest preparing it a few hours before you serve it. This allows the flavors to blend well. Just be sure to keep it in the fridge until you are ready to eat. If you want it fresher, add the dressing right before serving. The best dressing for this salad is balsamic vinaigrette. It adds a nice tang and sweetness. You can also try a honey mustard dressing or a light citrus dressing. Both options will give the salad a tasty twist. Choose a dressing that complements the strawberries and spinach. This salad lasts about 2 to 3 days in the fridge. Make sure to store it in an airtight container. If you added dressing, the salad might get soggy over time. If you plan to keep it longer, store the dressing separately. This way, the salad stays fresh and crunchy. This blog post guided you through making a delicious pasta salad. We covered essential ingredients, step-by-step cooking, and helpful tips. You learned about ingredient swaps and ways to store leftovers. For best results, enjoy the freedom to get creative. Remember, fresh flavors and colorful veggies make the best salads. Experiment and make it your own! This salad is great for any meal or gathering you have planned.$

Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad

A refreshing pasta salad featuring strawberries and spinach, perfect for warm weather.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 30

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

8 oz bowtie pasta
4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup almonds, toasted and roughly chopped
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
to taste salt and pepper

Instructions

In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
While the pasta is cooking, slice the strawberries, crumble the feta, and chop the spinach and toasted almonds. Thinly slice the red onion.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped spinach, sliced strawberries, crumbled feta cheese, toasted almonds, and red onion.
Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad. Gently toss everything together until the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Taste the salad and add salt and pepper according to your preference. Toss again to ensure even seasoning.
For best flavors, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best flavors, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.

Keyword healthy, pasta salad, spinach, strawberry