Indulge in a burst of flavors with this refreshing penne pasta salad, a delightful symphony of textures and tastes. Featuring succulent shrimp, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tender spinach, this salad is a feast for the senses. Tossed in a tangy lemon-herb dressing, it offers a delightful balance of acidity and freshness. But that's not all – this recipe also includes two additional variations to cater to different preferences. For a vegetarian delight, try the spinach, tomato, and feta version, where creamy feta cheese adds a savory touch. Or, if you're craving a hearty protein boost, opt for the chicken, bacon, and ranch variation, where succulent chicken and crispy bacon add a satisfying crunch. With three distinct flavor profiles to choose from, this penne pasta salad is sure to become a favorite for picnics, potlucks, or a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
SPINACH PASTA SALAD
Tangy, garlicky, peppery pasta salad stays fresh for days making it perfect for lunches throughout the week or for an easy make-ahead dinner.
Provided by Mary Younkin
Categories Main Course
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil along with 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, but do not rinse the pasta.
- While the pasta is cooking, place the onions and garlic in a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil and vinegar to cover the onions. When the pasta has been drained, add it to the mixing bowl and toss well. Add the tomatoes and spinach.
- Toss everything together to mix well and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Taste the salad and add more salt and pepper, as needed. Sprinkle with Parmesan, if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 210 kcal, Carbohydrate 23 g, Protein 4 g, Fat 11 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 306 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
SPINACH PENNE SALAD
This healthy recipe will shine as is, or double the vinaigrette and use half to marinate and grill chicken breasts if you want to add a protein. Slice and add to the salad. -Benice Silver, Carmel, Indiana
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water; drain again., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, spinach, tomatoes, feta cheese, onions and olives. Add vinaigrette; toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 327 calories, Fat 15g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 7mg cholesterol, Sodium 233mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 11g protein.
PENNE PASTA SALAD WITH SPINACH AND TOMATOES
With a triple hit of seasonings from McCormick®, this penne pasta salad with spinach, tomatoes and mozzarella is a summer potluck showstopper.
Provided by McCormick
Categories Salad and Dressings,
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook pasta as directed on package. Drain well.
- Meanwhile, mix oil, vinegar, marjoram, rosemary, garlic powder, crushed red pepper and salt in large bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Add pasta and spinach; toss to coat well. Add tomatoes and cheeses; toss gently to mix.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 218 Calories
SPINACH PASTA SALAD
A unique salad, packed with iron! Your kids will eat spinach, as long as you don't tell them it's spinach. Popeye would have loved this!
Provided by Kim Fusich
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Spinach Pasta Salad
Time 2h25m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente, rinse under cold water and drain.
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta, spinach, cheese, red onion and olives.
- Whisk together the salad dressing, garlic, lemon juice, garlic salt and pepper. Pour over salad and toss. Refrigerate for 2 hours and serve chilled.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 334.1 calories, Carbohydrate 41.8 g, Cholesterol 6.3 mg, Fat 16.6 g, Fiber 4.8 g, Protein 8.6 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 1167.1 mg, Sugar 4.9 g
PENNE PASTA SALAD WITH SPINACH & TOMATOES
A tasty pasta salad brought to life with a delicious combination of olive oil, white wine vinegar, rosemary, thyme, garlic, oregano and basil, tossed with fresh spinach, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and a sprinkling of Parmesan.
Provided by English_Rose
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Mix the oil, vinegar, rosemary, thyme, garlic granules, oregano, basil and salt together in a large bowl. Add the cooked pasta and spinach, toss to coat well.
- Add the tomatoes and cheeses and mix well.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
CHERRY TOMATO PASTA WITH AVOCADO SAUCE
Heart-healthy avocado makes this pasta dish feel indulgent without being overly rich. The flavorful sauce is so luscious, you'll think there is cream hiding in there. It's guilt-free and dairy-free, but with a texture and consistency that's similar to traditional cream-based sauces. -Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 30m
Yield 10 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook rotini according to package directions for al dente. Meanwhile, place avocados, spinach, basil, garlic, lime juice, salt and pepper in a food processor; pulse until chopped. Continue processing while gradually adding oil in a steady stream., Drain rotini; transfer to a large bowl. Add avocado mixture and tomatoes; toss to coat. Top with pine nuts and toppings of your choice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 314 calories, Fat 18g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 125mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 9g protein.
PENNE PASTA SALAD
A colorful pasta salad with bell peppers and a touch of dill.
Provided by Deanna
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente, rinse under cold water and drain.
- In a large bowl, mix together the salad dressing, mustard, cheese and dill.
- Add pasta, red onion and bell peppers. Toss well; season with salt and pepper. Chill before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 269.3 calories, Carbohydrate 35 g, Cholesterol 17.7 mg, Fat 9.8 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 10.2 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 611.1 mg, Sugar 5 g
Tips:
- Cook the pasta al dente: This means cooking the pasta until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooking the pasta will make it mushy and less flavorful.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients you use, the better your pasta salad will taste. Look for fresh spinach, ripe tomatoes, and flavorful cheese.
- Don't overdress the salad: A little bit of dressing goes a long way. Too much dressing will make the salad soggy and oily.
- Let the salad chill before serving: This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to become more refreshing.
- Serve the salad with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or grated cheese: This adds a pop of color and flavor to the dish.
Conclusion:
Penne pasta salad with spinach, tomatoes, and feta cheese is a light, refreshing, and flavorful dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own tastes. With a few simple tips, you can make a pasta salad that is sure to impress your friends and family.
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