Servings
Font
Back
0 from 138 votes

Mandarin Spinach Bowtie Pasta Salad with Teriyaki Dressing

A simple and flavorful recipe that's sure to be a favorite.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 Servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Teriyaki Dressing:
  • ⅓ ⅓ cup Neutral flavored oil like vegetable, canola or avocado
  • ⅓ ⅓ cup teriyaki sauce (see note)
  • ⅓ ⅓ cup rice vinegar apple cider vinegar, or white wine vinegar
  • 2 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ ¼ teaspoon salt I use coarse, kosher salt
  • Pinch of black pepper
Salad:
  • 8 8 ounces bowtie pasta cooked according to package directions, drained and cooled
  • 4 4 packed cups fresh baby spinach
  • ½ to 1 ½ to 1 cup craisins
  • 2 cans 2 cans (11-ounces each) mandarin oranges drained
  • 1 (8-ounce) 1 (8-ounce) can water chestnuts drained and slivered
  • ¼ to ½ ¼ to ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 2 green onions thinly sliced (white and green parts)
  • ½ to ¾ ½ to ¾ cup roasted cashews or honey roasted peanuts
  • 2 2 cups cooked, diced chicken tossed with 2-3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce (see note)
  • 2 to 3 2 to 3 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. For the dressing, combine all the ingredients in a jar, cap with a lid, and shake until well combined (alternately, you can whisk the dressing ingredients together in a bowl until mixed or use a blender).
  2. Combine all the salad ingredients except the sesame seeds in a bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and lightly toss. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately (if anticipating leftovers, consider adding dressing to individual portions instead of the salad as a whole so the spinach doesn't get soggy and wilted for leftovers).

Notes

  • Original Dressing: if you are looking for the original dressing ingredients/amounts included in the first version of this recipe (posted in 2009), here they are: 1 cup canola oil, 1/3 to 2/3 cup bottled teriyaki sauce, 1/3 cup rice vinegar, 1/3 cup cider vinegar, 6 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
  • Original Salad Ingredients: 16 ounces pasta, 9-10 ounces spinach, 6 ounces craisins, 2 cans mandarin oranges, 1 can water chestnuts, 1/2 cup chopped parsley, 4 green onions, 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds, 6 ounces honey roasted peanuts, 2 cups cooked chicken.
  • Chicken: I usually either use cooked chicken tossed in a bit of the teriyaki sauce (rotisserie chicken works great here!) or I brush boneless, skinless chicken breasts with teriyaki sauce and grill them - yum!
  • Teriyaki Sauce: there are a lot of storebought, bottled teriyaki brands available. My recommendation is to use one that you like the flavor of (I recently used the Panda Express mandarin teriyaki sauce, and it was tasty). I also love this homemade teriyaki sauce (although I haven't tried it for this salad yet).

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Serving Calories 536kcal (27%) Carbohydrates 64g (21%) Protein 22g (44%) Fat 23g (35%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 35mg (12%) Sodium 772mg (32%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 24g (48%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 Serving
Calories 536kcal 27%
Carbohydrates 64g 21%
Protein 22g 44%
Fat 23g 35%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 35mg 12%
Sodium 772mg 32%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 24g 48%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.