Even though I love pasta, I know I need to eat more vegetables than I do pasta. For that reason, I wanted to make a satisfying salad loaded with vegetables but very little pasta. As a result, I get the best of both worlds! Spinach pasta salad, for instance, is 90% vegetables, 10 % whole grain pasta with an oil-free balsamic dressing. Not only is spinach pasta salad recipe delicious, but it's also filling and delicious!
WHAT VEGETABLES ARE IN SPINACH PASTA SALAD RECIPE?
When I decided to build spinach pasta salad, I used a variety of vegetables I already prepped during the week. For example, I spiralized zucchini for Zoodle Pad Thai Recipe. Other vegetables I used for spinach pasta salad recipe include:
- Organic spinach
- Tri-colored tomatoes
- Simple Rosemary Infused Pickled Red Onions
- Broccoli
- Purple cabbage
BUILDING VEGAN SPINACH PASTA SALAD WITH FRESH VEGETABLES
First, add the spinach to a large bowl and top with assorted vegetables for the exception of the broccoli. Another tip, if using the Simple Rosemary Infused Pickled Red Onions, is to lay them on a paper towel to drain before adding to the spinach pasta salad.
Instead of steaming the broccoli separately, I simply add the broccoli to the boiling pasta for the last 7 minutes. Not only does it save time, but you also use one pan. Next, simply rinse the broccoli and the pasta, in cold water, together before adding to spinach pasta salad.
Additionally, I suggest making the oil-free balsamic dressing for spinach pasta salad recipe, but don't dress until serving. If you are looking for a different dressing alternative, try my Vegan Ranch Dressing.
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN SPINACH PASTA SALAD DRESSING?
As always, the dressing is my favorite part of the salad. For spinach pasta salad, I chose a balsamic dressing because it enhances the taste of the Simple Rosemary Infused Pickled Red Onions, vegetables, and pasta.
Once the dressing ingredients are whisked together, simply refrigerate the dressing. Then, wait until the spinach pasta salad recipe is ready to be served.
OIL-FREE BALSAMIC DRESSING
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons dijon mustard
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
After the salad is dressed, toss in the dressing and serve in individual bowls. And, don't be surprised if someone asks for more. Furthermore, if you plan to meal prep, make sure to serve the dressing on the side.
LOVE HEALTHY SALADS LOADED WITH UNIQUE INGREDIENTS? WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED!
- Roasted Vegetable Salad
- Greek Orzo Salad
- Vegan Broccoli Salad with Coconut Bacon
- Spinach Strawberry Salad
- Grilled Caesar Salad
- Lentil Salad
- Tabouli Salad
- Italian Chopped Salad
- Roasted Cauliflower Salad
- Mediterranean Salad
- Vegan Quinoa Salad
- Mediterranean Couscous Salad
- Quinoa Greek Salad with OMG Oil-Free Dressing
Spinach Pasta Salad
Spinach pasta salad is the perfect balance of greens, vegetables, and pasta with an oil-free balsamic dressing. Not only is this salad filling, but it is also savory and delicious.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bow-tie whole grain pasta, or pasta of choice (gluten-free pasta works as well)
- 12 cups of organic baby spinach
- 1-pint tri-colored grape tomatoes, sliced in halves, or cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup purple cabbage
- 1 cup pickled red onions or raw red onions (white onions work as well)
- 1 zucchini serialized or cut into coins and cut in halves
- 1 crown of broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces (raw or cooked with the pasta for the last 7 minutes and then cooled)
Oil-Free Balasamic Dressing
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons dijon mustard
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
Instructions
SPINACH PASTA SALAD RECIPE
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- I add the broccoli the last 7 minutes of cooking to the pasta instead of eating it raw.
- Immediately drain pasta and run under cold water in a colander under all the pasta is cooled at room temperature.
- Add baby spinach to a large bowl and add all other vegetables and cooled pasta
- Do not dress until ready to toss and serve
OIL-FREE BALSAMIC DRESSING
- Whisk all dressing ingredients together.
- Pour dressing onto the salad
- Toss and serve into individual bowls
- Serve
Nutrition Information
Yield
6 servingsServing Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 181Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 263mgCarbohydrates 37gFiber 6gSugar 13gProtein 7g
Nutrition facts may not be 100% accurate.
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
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