Zesty Spinach and Artichoke Pasta Salad Recipe for Summer

Mixing vibrant spinach and artichoke pasta salad creates a delightful medley of Mediterranean flavors that dance across your palate.

Summer picnics deserve something spectacular like this refreshing dish.

Crisp vegetables mingle with tender pasta, creating texture and excitement in every single bite.

Colorful ingredients promise a light yet satisfying meal perfect for warm afternoons.

Fresh herbs and zesty dressing bring unexpected brightness to this classic combination.

Quick preparation means you can spend more time enjoying conversations instead of cooking.

Grab a fork and dive into a plate that celebrates simple, delicious ingredients with style.

Why Spinach And Artichoke Pasta Salad Stands Out

• Whip Up in a Snap: This pasta salad comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings. You'll have a delicious meal ready in under 30 minutes of active preparation.
• Crowd-Pleasing Healthiness: Packed with nutrient-rich spinach, artichokes, and a protein-boosted dressing, this dish offers a delightful way to enjoy vegetables without sacrificing flavor. It's a sneaky method to get picky eaters excited about healthy eating.
• Versatile Meal Marvel: Serve as a side dish, light lunch, or potluck favorite. The recipe adapts easily to different occasions, from casual backyard barbecues to elegant summer gatherings. Its make-ahead potential means less stress and more enjoyment.
• Temperature-Friendly Delight: This cold pasta salad travels well and maintains its delicious taste even after sitting out, making it an ideal option for picnics, outdoor events, or meal prep. No need to worry about keeping it piping hot.

What You’ll Need For Spinach And Artichoke Pasta Salad

• Pasta: Hearty foundation for the salad, best with short shapes like rotini or penne.
• Salt: Enhances pasta flavor during cooking.

• Spinach, Artichokes, Roasted Red Peppers, Onion: Fresh and colorful mix adding texture and nutrients, choose crisp and vibrant produce.

• Yogurt, Mayonnaise: Creamy base for smooth and tangy dressing.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acidic element to balance flavors.
• Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps blend ingredients.
• Italian Seasoning, Garlic: Aromatic herbs and spices for depth of flavor.

• Cheese: Adds creamy and salty notes, can use feta or parmesan.
• Seeds: Optional crunchy topping for extra texture.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance overall taste and balance flavors.

Steps To Make Spinach And Artichoke Pasta Salad

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfection

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil. Toss in the pasta and cook until it reaches that perfect al dente texture – tender but with a slight bite. Quickly drain the pasta and shower it with cold water to halt the cooking process. Let it cool completely while you prepare the other ingredients.

Step 2: Whip Up Creamy Dressing

• Plain yogurt
• Mayonnaise
• Fresh lemon juice
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Italian herb blend
• Minced garlic

Whisk everything together until smooth and creamy. Season with a pinch of salt and a crack of black pepper to tantalize your taste buds.

Step 3: Create Flavor Explosion

• Cooled pasta
• Fresh baby spinach leaves
• Chopped artichoke hearts
• Sliced roasted red peppers
• Diced red onion
• Crumbled feta or parmesan cheese
• Sunflower or pumpkin seeds (optional)

Pour the creamy dressing over the ingredients and gently mix until every morsel is beautifully coated.

Step 4: Chill and Elevate

Cover the bowl and let the pasta salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This magical resting time allows all the flavors to mingle and dance together. Before serving, give it a quick stir and sprinkle some extra cheese or lemon zest on top for a final flourish.

Serving Tip: This vibrant pasta salad is perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing lunch that’ll make your taste buds sing with joy!

Pro Tips For Spinach And Artichoke Pasta Salad

• Pasta Perfection: Choose short pasta shapes like rotini or penne that hold dressing well and create delightful texture in every bite.
• Dressing Hack: Make dressing ahead of time and refrigerate to intensify flavors and allow ingredients to blend seamlessly.
• Veggie Flexibility: Swap or add different vegetables like roasted zucchini, cherry tomatoes, or bell peppers to customize the salad's taste and nutrition.
• Protein Power-Up: Enhance the salad with grilled chicken, canned tuna, or chickpeas for a more substantial and filling meal option.
• Temperature Tip: Serve chilled for best flavor, but let the salad sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to soften dressing and release subtle taste notes.

How To Store Spinach And Artichoke Pasta Salad

• Refrigerate your spinach and artichoke pasta salad in an airtight container for maximum freshness.
• Store the salad for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, keeping it chilled to maintain its crisp texture and vibrant flavors.
• Keep the salad away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
• When ready to enjoy leftovers, give the pasta salad a quick stir to redistribute the dressing and bring back its original zesty taste.
• Avoid freezing this dish, as the yogurt-based dressing and fresh vegetables will separate and lose their appealing texture when thawed.
• Pro tip: If the salad seems dry after storing, add a small splash of olive oil or lemon juice to revive its moisture and bring back its delicious coating.

Best Pairings With Spinach And Artichoke Pasta Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon blanc's zesty acidity perfectly complements the creamy dressing and tangy artichokes, cutting through the richness while enhancing the fresh vegetable flavors.
• Serve alongside Grilled Chicken: Lemon-herb marinated chicken breast creates a protein-packed companion that matches the salad's Mediterranean-inspired profile, adding substance without overwhelming the delicate ingredients.
• Match with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Toasted sourdough slices provide a crunchy texture contrast and help soak up the delicious yogurt-based dressing, making each bite more satisfying and enjoyable.
• Include Sparkling Water with Lemon: A refreshing, light beverage that cleanses the palate between bites, highlights the salad's bright lemon notes, and provides a hydrating complement to the creamy pasta dish.

Fun Ideas For Spinach And Artichoke Pasta Salad

• Greek-Inspired Fusion: Replace Italian seasoning with dried oregano and add crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean-style pasta salad with tangy Mediterranean flavors.
• Protein-Packed Power: Incorporate grilled chicken, chickpeas, or canned tuna to boost protein content and create a more substantial meal that keeps you full longer.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Swap Italian seasoning for chili powder, add black beans, corn kernels, and swap mozzarella for pepper jack cheese to create a zesty southwestern version with extra kick.
• Low-Carb Veggie Alternative: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate option that maintains the original salad's fresh taste profile.

Spinach And Artichoke Pasta Salad FAQs

• Why use yogurt in the dressing?

Yogurt adds a creamy tangy base that’s lighter than traditional mayo-only dressings. It boosts protein and provides a bright, fresh flavor while keeping the salad healthier and more nutritious.

• Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! This salad actually tastes better after chilling for a few hours or overnight. The flavors blend together, making it perfect for meal prep or preparing in advance for potlucks and gatherings.

• Is this pasta salad vegetarian-friendly?

Yes, this recipe is completely vegetarian. It’s packed with protein from cheese, yogurt, and optional seeds, making it a satisfying meat-free meal or side dish that everyone can enjoy.

• How can I add more protein to this pasta salad?

You can easily boost protein by adding chickpeas, grilled tofu, cooked quinoa, or diced hard-boiled eggs. These additions will make the salad more filling and nutritionally balanced.

Spinach And Artichoke Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired spinach and artichoke pasta salad delivers creamy textures and zesty Mediterranean flavors in one delightful dish. Cool noodles blend with tangy artichokes and fresh spinach, promising a refreshing meal perfect for summer gatherings and quick lunches.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (rotini, bowtie, or penne)
• 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 (14 ounces / 397 grams) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
• ½ cup roasted red peppers, chopped (optional)

Cheese and Garnish:

• ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese or shredded Parmesan
• ¼ cup sunflower seeds or pine nuts (optional, for crunch)

Dressing Ingredients:

• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup mayonnaise (or more Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta by boiling it in generously salted water until it reaches a perfectly tender yet firm texture. Cool the pasta immediately by rinsing under cold water, then allow it to drain completely, ensuring no excess moisture remains.
2. Craft a vibrant dressing by whisking together tangy yogurt, creamy mayonnaise, bright lemon juice, fragrant olive oil, aromatic Italian herbs, and minced garlic. Delicately season with salt and freshly ground pepper to elevate the flavor profile.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, merge the cooled pasta with crisp spinach leaves, tender artichoke hearts, sweet roasted red peppers, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled cheese, and crunchy seeds for added texture.
4. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad components, gently tossing to ensure each ingredient is luxuriously coated and flavors are evenly distributed.
5. Refrigerate the pasta salad for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and develop a more intense, unified taste. Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing.
6. Optional finishing touches include sprinkling additional cheese or delicate lemon zest to brighten the dish and add a final layer of complexity.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Choose short pasta shapes like rotini or penne that hold dressing well and catch small ingredients easily.
• Temperature Trick: Ensure pasta is completely cooled before mixing with other ingredients to prevent wilting delicate spinach and prevent dressing separation.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap yogurt and mayo with vegan alternatives like cashew cream or plant-based yogurt, and use nutritional yeast instead of cheese for a dairy-free version.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This salad tastes even better after 24 hours in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and blend completely.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg