Best 6 Spinach Basil Pasta Salad Recipes

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In the realm of culinary delights, where flavors dance and textures intertwine, lies a dish that embodies the essence of summer's bounty: Spinach Basil Pasta Salad. This vibrant creation is a symphony of fresh ingredients, each contributing its unique charm to a harmonious ensemble. Tender spinach leaves, vibrant basil sprigs, and succulent cherry tomatoes burst with flavor, while crisp bell peppers add a refreshing crunch. Al dente pasta, cooked to perfection, provides a satisfying base for this delectable salad. Three variations of this dish tantalize the taste buds: a classic vinaigrette dressing, a creamy pesto dressing, and a zesty lemon-herb dressing. Each dressing adds its own distinctive touch, elevating the salad to a culinary masterpiece. Whether you prefer the tangy zip of vinaigrette, the rich nuttiness of pesto, or the bright acidity of lemon-herb, there's a Spinach Basil Pasta Salad variation to suit your palate. Prepare to embark on a culinary adventure as we delve into the secrets of crafting this delightful summertime dish.





**Recipes Introduced:**
**1. Spinach Basil Pasta Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing:**
This traditional version showcases the inherent flavors of the fresh ingredients, complemented by a tangy vinaigrette dressing.


**2. Spinach Basil Pasta Salad with Creamy Pesto Dressing:**
Indulge in the lusciousness of a creamy pesto dressing, made with fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, enveloping every bite in a velvety embrace of flavor.


**3. Spinach Basil Pasta Salad with Lemon-Herb Dressing:**
Experience a burst of citrusy freshness with a zesty lemon-herb dressing. The vibrant combination of lemon juice, olive oil, herbs, and a touch of honey creates a delightful tang that invigorates the senses.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ITALIAN PASTA SALAD RECIPE



Italian Pasta Salad Recipe image

This is one satisfying and flavor-packed cold pasta salad with crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, rustic old-world salami, tangy olives, and mozzarella. A zesty Italian dressing brings it all together.

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories     Salad

Number Of Ingredients 18

¾ lb pasta, ((I recommend fusilli or rotini pasta) )
Kosher salt
1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 bell pepper (any color, cored and chopped)
1 shallot (chopped)
1 cup marinated artichoke hearts (6 ounces)
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
6 pepperoncini, (chopped)
6 to 8 ounces salami, (sliced into bite size pieces )
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, (torn (or mozzarella cheese balls))
½ cup packed chopped fresh parsley
½ cup packed chopped fresh basil leaves
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, (minced)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and black pepper

Steps:

  • Cook the pasta in boiling water according to package instructions until the pasta is cooked to al dante (don't forget to salt your water). Drain
  • In a large bowl, mix the pasta with the tomatoes, chopped veggies, artichoke hearts, olives, pepperoncini, salami, mozzarella, and fresh herbs.
  • In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix the dressing ingredients together.
  • Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 292.3 kcal, Carbohydrate 31.1 g, Protein 13.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Cholesterol 26.9 mg, Sodium 748.4 mg, Fiber 2.7 g, ServingSize 1 serving

SPINACH PASTA SALAD



Spinach Pasta Salad image

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

1 (12 ounce) package farfalle pasta
10 ounces baby spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size piece
2 ounces crumbled feta cheese with basil and tomato
1 red onion, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can black olives, drained and chopped
1 cup Italian-style salad dressing
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, juiced
½ teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

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

SPINACH PASTA SALAD



Spinach Pasta Salad image

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

8 ounces bowtie pasta
1/2 very small red onion (thinly sliced and cut into 1-inch pieces, about 1/4 cup)
3 large cloves garlic (minced)
6 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 cups baby spinach
2 cups grape tomatoes (halved)
grated fresh Parmesan (optional)

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

PASTA WITH SPINACH-BASIL SAUCE



Pasta with Spinach-Basil Sauce image

This is a tasty twist on classic pasta with pesto sauce.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup shallots, minced
1 pound spinach, stemmed and washed
1 bunch basil, stemmed (4 to 5 cups lightly packed)
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 pounds fettuccine

Steps:

  • In small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Cook shallots, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, submerge spinach and basil in a large pot of simmering salted water; drain immediately. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible; transfer spinach and basil to a food processor.
  • Add shallots, ricotta, Parmesan, and nutmeg; season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Process until smooth.
  • Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water. Toss pasta with spinach sauce; thin with pasta water, as needed. Serve with extra grated Parmesan, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 413 g, Fat 8 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 17 g

SPINACH & BASIL PASTA SALAD



Spinach & Basil Pasta Salad image

Photo may be seen (in Savor) at: www.annacia.com I love pasta salad's and this one was shared with me recently. It's simple, delicious and packs a decent amount of nutrition. I swapped out the spinach for green kale which I roughly cut across the leaves and it was delicious. I skipped the pine nuts on top as I didn't have any at that time.

Provided by Annacia

Categories     Spinach

Time 30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (16 ounce) package bow tie pasta
1 (6 ounce) package fresh spinach leaves
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 ounces prosciutto, diced
salt & fresh ground pepper
3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts

Steps:

  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat, once the water is boiling, stir in the bow tie pasta and return to a boil.
  • Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 12-15 minutes or to your liking them rinse with cold water to cool and drain well in a colander set in the sink.
  • Toss the spinach and basil together in a large bowl.
  • Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir the garlic in the hot oil for 1 minute; stir in the prosciutto and cook 2 to 3 minutes more, remove from heat.
  • Add to the bowl with the spinach and basil mixture; toss to combine. Pour in the drained pasta and toss again.
  • Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and pine nuts to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 888.8, Fat 49.3, SaturatedFat 9.2, Cholesterol 112.3, Sodium 346.3, Carbohydrate 87.1, Fiber 5.7, Sugar 3.2, Protein 27.7

SPINACH PARMESAN PASTA SALAD



Spinach Parmesan Pasta Salad image

Dress things up with our Spinach Parmesan Pasta Salad. This Parmesan pasta salad incorporates bow-tie pasta with what amounts to a deconstructed pesto.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Nuts

Time 20m

Yield 5 servings, 1 cup each

Number Of Ingredients 7

2-1/2 cups farfalle (bow-tie pasta), uncooked
4 cups tightly packed baby spinach leaves
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/4 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding spinach to the boiling water for the last 30 sec.; drain.
  • Rinse pasta mixture with cold water; drain well. Place in large bowl.
  • Add remaining ingredients; mix lightly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 250, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Sodium 250 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 10 g

Tips:

  • Select Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh spinach and basil for the best flavor and texture.
  • Cook Pasta Al Dente: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, but aim for an al dente texture, which means slightly firm to the bite.
  • Prepare Vegetables in Advance: Wash and chop the vegetables ahead of time to save time when assembling the salad.
  • Use Quality Cheese: Opt for a good-quality Parmesan or Romano cheese for a rich, nutty flavor.
  • Make a Flavorful Dressing: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper for a simple yet delicious dressing.
  • Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Conclusion:

This spinach basil pasta salad is a delightful combination of fresh flavors and textures. With its vibrant colors and zesty dressing, it's a perfect side dish or light lunch option. The combination of spinach, basil, tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese creates a harmonious balance of flavors, while the pasta adds a satisfying chewiness. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a refreshing summer dish, this spinach basil pasta salad is sure to impress. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and enjoy the process of creating this culinary delight.

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