Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
User Reviews
4.9
Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
Description
This pasta salad combines tender penne pasta with fresh spinach leaves, sweet strawberries, juicy pineapple pieces, dried cranberries, and crunchy salted cashews to offer a varied texture and flavor profile. The dressing enhances the salad by blending the fruity brightness of orange juice and apple cider vinegar with the creaminess of yogurt and sweetness of honey. Dijon mustard adds mild tang and depth, while poppy seeds provide a subtle nutty crunch dispersed throughout.
The salad is served cold and can be tossed with the dressing immediately or after chilling for an hour, allowing the flavors to meld further. This makes it a versatile side dish or light main course during warmer weather or whenever a fresh, fruity, and softened pasta salad is desired.
For better preparation, the salad ingredients and dressing can be stored separately for up to 24 hours, with dressing added just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta cooked according to package directions
- 2 cups baby spinach packed fresh leaves
- 1 cup strawberries sliced
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- ¼ cup dried cranberries or dried blueberries
- ½ cup cashews or other nut like pecans or walnuts, salted
Orange Poppyseed Dressing
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup yogurt plain, Greek
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ⅓ cup orange juice
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
- optional: salt pinch
- optional: black pepper pinch
Instructions
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar, cover, and shake well. Set aside.
- Combine penne, spinach, strawberries, pineapple, cranberries, and cashews in a large bowl and toss with the prepared dressing.
- Serve immediately or cover and chill for 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Prepare the pasta salad and dressing separately up to 24 hours ahead, and combine just before serving to keep textures fresh.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 280 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 280kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 33g | 11% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 1mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 70mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 215mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
| Vitamin A | 594IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 17mg | 19% |
| Calcium | 37mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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