Mandarin Pasta Spinach Salad with Teriyaki Dressing
User Reviews
4.9
Mandarin Pasta Spinach Salad with Teriyaki Dressing
Description
Mandarin Pasta Spinach Salad uses cooked and cooled bowtie pasta tossed with leafy spinach, sweet craisins, crunchy pine nuts or cashews, drained mandarin orange segments, and chopped cilantro. The dressing is made by shaking together thick teriyaki sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic and onion powder, salt, pepper, sugar, and neutral cooking oil to create a glossy, flavorful coating.
This salad provides a refreshing, slightly sweet and tangy profile with the crispness from spinach and citrus brightness from the mandarin segments. The teriyaki sauce adds umami depth, and nuts contribute texture contrast.
It works well as a side dish or light lunch. Using a thicker teriyaki enhances coating and flavor intensity. The salad should be dressed just before serving to preserve the fresh texture of the spinach and pasta.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bowtie pasta noodles
- 4 cups spinach leaves
- ½ cup craisins
- ⅓ cup pine nuts or cashews
- 1 ounce can mandarin orange drained
- ¼ cup cilantro roughly chopped, leaves
Dressing
- ⅓ cup teriyaki sauce (the thicker, the better!)
- ⅓ cup rice wine vinegar (may sub apple cider vinegar)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (if you have it)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ cup neutral cooking oil such as vegetable oil, canola oil, olive oil, generic cooking oil
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- While pasta is boiling, prepare the dressing. In a jar combine all dressing ingredients. Cover and shake to combine. Chill until ready to use.
- In a large bowl toss together pasta, spinach, raisins, nuts, mandarin oranges, and cilantro. Just before serving pour dressing over salad, toss, and serve.
Notes
- Choose a thick teriyaki sauce to ensure a rich, clingy dressing, with Kikkoman as a recommended brand.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 627 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 627kcal | 31% |
| Carbohydrates | 65g | 22% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 37g | 57% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Sodium | 1094mg | 46% |
| Potassium | 436mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 18g | 36% |
| Vitamin A | 2886IU | 58% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 55mg | 6% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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