When spring arrives, it brings with it a bounty of fresh and vibrant produce, including the delectable spring mix. Spring mix, which generally consists of a combination of tender baby lettuces, such as arugula, spinach, and mesclun, offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures. Incorporating this nutritious mix into a pasta salad is an excellent way to celebrate the season's bounty. This article will explore various recipes for spring mix pasta salads, ranging from light and refreshing options to hearty and satisfying dishes. Experimenting with different dressings, proteins, and additional ingredients will allow you to create a spring mix pasta salad that perfectly suits your taste preferences.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
SPRING MIX-IN' PASTA SALAD
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
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 PASTA SALAD
Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King
Categories side-dish
Time 35m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
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.
SPRING PASTA SALAD
Make and share this Spring Pasta Salad recipe from Food.com.
Provided by SouthernBell2627
Categories Vegetable
Time 13m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse under cold water and drain well.
- Combine pasta, vegetables and tomatoes in bowl.
- Toss with dressing.
- Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley and serve over lettuce, if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 488.9, Fat 23.9, SaturatedFat 3.7, Cholesterol 0.8, Sodium 481, Carbohydrate 59.3, Fiber 7.9, Sugar 3.9, Protein 12.2
THE BEST CREAMY PASTA SALAD RECIPE
The absolute BEST Creamy Pasta Salad made with broccoli, cucumbers, olives, cheese, red onion, red pepper, and broccoli then tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing. This is the perfect pasta salad for parties and potlucks!
Provided by Elyse
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Rinse well with cold water until pasta is cold.
- Place cooked and cooled pasta in a large mixing or serving bowl.
- Mix in broccoli florets, red onion, red bell pepper, cucumber, sliced olives and cheese.
- Whisk together all dressing ingredients and pour over pasta and other ingredients.
- Gently fold in dressing until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
Tips:
- Choose the right pasta: Short, sturdy pastas like penne, rotini, and fusilli are ideal for spring mix pasta salad. They hold the dressing well and don't get too soggy.
- Cook the pasta al dente: This means cooking it until it is just tender but still has a slight bite to it. This will prevent it from becoming mushy in the salad.
- Use a variety of spring mix: A mix of different types of spring greens, such as arugula, spinach, and baby kale, will give your salad a more complex flavor and texture.
- Don't overdress the salad: A light vinaigrette dressing is all you need to enhance the flavors of the salad without weighing it down.
- Add some protein: Grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu are all great additions to a spring mix pasta salad. They add protein and help to make the salad more filling.
- Add some crunch: Toasted nuts, seeds, or croutons add a nice crunchy texture to the salad.
- Serve immediately: Spring mix pasta salad is best served immediately after it is made. The greens will start to wilt if the salad sits for too long.
Conclusion:
Spring mix pasta salad is a delicious and refreshing salad that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover pasta. With its vibrant colors and flavors, spring mix pasta salad is sure to be a hit at your next party or potluck.
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