Skip to main content

Spinach Pasta Salad

This fun and delicious pasta salad recipe combines fresh veggies, crunchy seeds, tangy fruit, and tender pasta with a savory teriyaki dressing.
Bowl of a mix of macaroni noodles, spinach, oranges and dried cranberries.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Makes: 5 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

DRESSING
2 Tablespoons teriyaki sauce
2 Tablespoons vinegar (white, rice or cider)
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon each salt and black pepper
1 ½ teaspoons sugar
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
 
SALAD
2 cups cooked pasta (try whole wheat shells, bow ties, macaroni or other small shapes)
4 cups fresh spinach
¼ cup dried cranberries
2 Tablespoons sunflower seed kernels
1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro or parsley

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. In a large bowl, mix together the dressing ingredients.
  4. Add the salad ingredients. Mix well. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
  5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Try using ⅓ cup prepared sesame or ginger salad dressing from the store to replace the dressing ingredients.

Comments

We make this with our 5th grade classes and they love it. One suggestion they always have, though, is less vinegar. I do usually use a lot less than what the recipe calls for since the first time I made it, the majority of the class said it had too much and didn't like. Once we cut the vinegar back to 1 TBSP, they all give me the thumbs up.

Kamut works very nicely as a substitute for the pasta in this recipe.  It's hearty and chewy texture holds up well and takes care of the "squishy" problem noted in the previous review.

Made this recipe for our office staff for lunch. Got really good feedback and everyone seemed to really like the dressing. However, I think if I made it again I would not do substitute quinoa for the pasta. I just felt like the texture of the cooked macaroni combined with the texture of the spinach made the salad a bit "squishy."

A coworker also suggested adding some chopped chicken as well, but I think it was fine without it.

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Glazed Squash
Baked crescent shaped acorn squash slices sprinkled with seasoning.

Glazed Squash

A simple, 3 ingredient recipe to make any type of winter squash.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 Cups
Green Salad with Peas
Lettuce bed topped with peas and feta cheese on a plate.

Green Salad with Peas

Fresh green salad, tossed with peas, cucumber and creamy feta.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Easy Meatballs
Baking dish of meatballs in a creamy sauce.

Easy Meatballs

Oats and veggies make these a great variation on traditional meatballs.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
1 hour
Makes:
24 meatballs
Cherry Scones
Photo of Cherry Scones

Cherry Scones

Warm and buttery treat combining whole-wheat flour, tart cherries and buttermilk. Perfect for breakfast or on the go.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
10 scones
Zucchini Salad
Bowl of seasoned zucchini and red onion slices.

Zucchini Salad

Quick and tasty side with fresh vegetables, herbs and a lemon dressing.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
6 Cups
Salmon Pasta Skillet
Bowl of pasta shells and salmon garnished with parsley.

Salmon Pasta Skillet

Whole grain pasta, canned salmon and tomatoes come together for a delicious and nutritious pasta meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.