Best 4 Spring Mix In Pasta Salad Recipes

Pasta salad is a versatile and refreshing dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It's perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings. This article features a collection of pasta salad recipes that showcase the vibrant flavors of spring.

The recipes use a variety of fresh spring vegetables like asparagus, peas, radishes, and snap peas, as well as herbs like mint, basil, and dill. They are tossed with cooked pasta, a flavorful dressing, and sometimes other ingredients like cheese, nuts, or dried fruit.

Some of the recipes are simple and quick to make, while others are more elaborate and require a bit more time and effort. There are recipes for classic pasta salads, as well as more unique and creative options. Whether you're looking for a light and refreshing meal or a hearty and satisfying dish, you're sure to find a recipe in this collection that you'll love.

Here are a few highlights from the article:

* The Spring Mix Pasta Salad is a classic recipe that's perfect for a potluck or picnic. It's made with a variety of spring vegetables, a tangy vinaigrette dressing, and Parmesan cheese.
* The Asparagus and Pea Pasta Salad is a more unique and flavorful option. It features roasted asparagus and peas, a creamy lemon-herb dressing, and crumbled feta cheese.
* The Radish and Snap Pea Pasta Salad is a light and refreshing salad that's perfect for a summer lunch. It's made with radishes, snap peas, cucumbers, and a tangy lemon-dill dressing.
* The Pesto Pasta Salad is a flavorful and satisfying dish that's perfect for a main course. It's made with a homemade pesto sauce, grilled chicken, and a variety of vegetables.
* The Spring Vegetable Pasta Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing is a vegan and gluten-free option that's packed with flavor. It's made with a variety of spring vegetables, a creamy lemon-tahini dressing, and toasted pine nuts.

No matter what your taste or dietary preferences, you're sure to find a pasta salad recipe in this collection that you'll love. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get cooking!

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

SPRING MIX-IN' PASTA SALAD

Spring Mix-In' Pasta Salad image

This is a salad I came up with for my family. After they tested it, I bought it to several pot-lucks where it also appears to be really liked (that is, all gone!). It can be adjusted to whatever type greens you may prefer, such as fresh spinach instead of spring mix or green olives or shrimp instead of chicken pieces.

Provided by mic-jac

Categories < 30 Mins

Time 18m

Yield 5 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 lb spaghetti noodles (or thin noodles, if preferred)
1 (16 ounce) bag spring greens, salad
1 (8 ounce) container cherry tomatoes
1 (6 ounce) can black olives (cut in halves)
1/2 lb cooked chicken piece (optional)
1 -2 tablespoon black bean garlic sauce (I use Lee Kum Kee)
3/4-1 cup your favorite Italian dressing (I mix my own, using Good Seasons with olive oil)

Steps:

Cook pasta as directed, rinse and drain thoroughly. Place in large salad bowl (add chicken or shrimp, if using), and mix in the black bean garlic sauce giving a light coating to all. This can be adjusted to your taste.
Add bag of Spring Mix salad, olives and cherry tomatoes. Mix completely, and then pour the Italian dressing over all mixing thoroughly once more.
Can be eaten right off or chilled for later.

SPRING GREEK PASTA SALAD

Spring Greek Pasta Salad image

For a light meal, we toss rotini pasta with cucumber, zucchini and sweet peppers. Make this cucumber pasta salad into a main dish by adding grilled chicken. -Christine Schenher, Exeter, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 16 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

4 cups veggie rotini or other spiral pasta (about 12 ounces)
VINAIGRETTE:
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon water
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons minced fresh oregano or 1 tablespoon dried oregano
SALAD:
3 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 small cucumber, seeded and chopped
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/3 cup sliced pitted Greek olives, optional
1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese

Steps:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cold water and drain well., In a small bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, vinegar, water, garlic, salt and pepper until blended. Stir in oregano., In a large bowl, combine pasta, vegetables and, if desired, olives. Add vinaigrette and cheese; toss to combine. Refrigerate, covered, until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 142 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 219mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

SPRING PASTA SALAD

Spring Pasta Salad image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Categories side-dish

Time 35m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1 clove garlic, grated
1 lemon, zested and juiced
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
12 ounces cavatappi pasta, cooked to package instructions and shocked under cold water
4 ounces asparagus, blanched and thinly sliced on the bias
1 box frozen peas, defrosted
One 12-ounce jar roasted yellow peppers, chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 shallot, minced
1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped
Ricotta salata, for garnish

Steps:

For the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, lemon zest and juice, and season with salt and pepper.
For the pasta: Toss the pasta with the asparagus, peas, roasted peppers, tomatoes, shallots and dill. Pour the dressing over the salad, tossing to coat. Let the salad hang out for a bit to soak up all of the flavor.
When ready to serve, bowl it up and shave some ricotta salata over the top to seal the deal.

KAREN'S SPRING MIX SALAD

Karen's Spring Mix Salad image

This is a delicious and easy salad that my mother-in-law makes.

Provided by Michelle

Categories Salad Green Salad Recipes Mixed Greens Salad Recipes

Time 10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 (10 ounce) package mixed salad greens
1 ripe avocado - peeled, pitted and chopped
1 ripe tomato, chopped
1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained
6 Greek pepperoncini peppers
¼ cup olive oil
2 teaspoons white vinegar
2 teaspoons garlic salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
3 ounces grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

In a large bowl, toss together the mixed greens, avocado, tomato, olives and pepperoncini peppers. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, garlic salt, oregano and basil. Pour over the salad mixture and toss to coat. Sprinkle with parmesan and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 248.2 calories, Carbohydrate 9.2 g, Cholesterol 12.5 mg, Fat 21.3 g, Fiber 4.9 g, Protein 7.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 1448 mg, Sugar 1.2 g

Tips:

Choose the right pasta. Short, sturdy pastas like penne, rotini, and fusilli are ideal for pasta salad because they hold the sauce well and don't get too mushy.
Cook the pasta al dente. This means cooking it until it is just tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will become mushy and absorb too much sauce.
Use a flavorful dressing. A good dressing will make all the difference in your pasta salad. Look for a dressing that is light and refreshing, with a balance of flavors.
Add plenty of vegetables. Vegetables add color, flavor, and nutrition to pasta salad. Use a variety of vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and carrots.
Don't be afraid to add other ingredients. Pasta salad is a great way to use up leftover ingredients. Try adding cooked chicken, bacon, or shrimp. You can also add nuts, seeds, or cheese.
Chill the pasta salad before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and the pasta to firm up.

Conclusion:

Pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a pasta salad recipe that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give one of these pasta salad recipes a try. You won't be disappointed!