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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Creamy Herb Dressing

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A vibrant and refreshing pasta salad combining fresh strawberries, baby spinach, and rotini pasta tossed in a creamy herb dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or quick weekday lunches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or bow-tie pasta
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 4 cups baby spinach, washed and dried
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
  • For the Creamy Herb Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat or dairy-free coconut yogurt)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini or bow-tie pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. While pasta cooks, hull and slice 2 cups of fresh strawberries. Thinly slice 1/4 cup of red onion and wash 4 cups of baby spinach thoroughly. Pat spinach dry with a kitchen towel or salad spinner.
  3. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast 1/4 cup sliced almonds for 3-4 minutes, stirring often until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
  4. In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, sliced strawberries, baby spinach, and red onion. Pour the creamy herb dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  6. Sprinkle 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese and toasted almonds on top. Give the salad one last gentle toss just before serving or leave toppings on top for a pretty presentation.
  7. For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the dressing soak in and flavors meld together. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Cool pasta under cold water immediately after draining to prevent mushiness. Toast almonds carefully to avoid bitterness. Toss salad gently to keep strawberries intact and spinach fresh. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. Dressing can be adjusted with different herbs or swapped for dairy-free options.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach pasta salad, creamy herb dressing, summer salad, easy pasta salad, healthy salad, potluck recipe

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/fresh-strawberry-spinach-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-creamy-herb-dressing/