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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad components, gently tossing to ensure each ingredient is luxuriously coated and flavors are evenly distributed.
- 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.
- 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