Description
Creamy spinach and artichoke pasta salad combines Mediterranean flavors with classic comfort ingredients. Zesty herbs and tangy cheese create a refreshing summer side dish perfect for picnics and gatherings you’ll want to share with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (rotini, bowtie, or penne)
- 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 14 oz (397 g) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
- ½ cup roasted red peppers, chopped (optional)
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese or shredded Parmesan
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds or pine nuts (optional, for crunch)
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise (or more Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- 2 tbsps lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil pasta in heavily salted water until achieving al dente consistency, then rapidly cool under cold water and thoroughly drain to prevent waterlogging.
- Dressing Fusion: Whisk yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, olive oil, Italian herbs, and garlic into a smooth, aromatic emulsion. Season with salt and pepper to amplify flavor dimensions.
- Ingredient Composition: Combine cooled pasta with spinach, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, red onion, cheese crumbles, and seeds in a generous mixing vessel, creating a colorful and textural foundation.
- Dressing Integration: Pour prepared dressing over salad ingredients, gently folding to ensure comprehensive coating and flavor equilibrium. Ensure every element is delicately embraced by the tangy mixture.
- Flavor Maturation: Chill salad for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to intermingle and develop complex taste profiles. Before presentation, gently redistribute dressing with a light toss.
- Garnish Elevation: Optionally enhance the dish with additional cheese sprinkles or delicate lemon zest to introduce a bright, final flavor accent.
Notes
- Drain Pasta Thoroughly: Prevent soggy salad by ensuring pasta is completely dry after cooling, shaking colander and spreading pasta on kitchen towel to remove excess moisture.
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let salad rest in refrigerator for at least an hour to allow ingredients to blend and develop deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Customize Cheese Options: Swap feta or goat cheese with vegan alternatives like nutritional yeast or cashew cheese for dairy-free dietary needs.
- Boost Protein Potential: Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu to transform this side dish into a satisfying main course with extra nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg