Spring Spinach Strawberry Pasta Salad (Printable)

Refreshing bow-tie pasta tossed with baby spinach, fresh strawberries, almonds, and poppy seed dressing. Vegetarian and easy to prepare.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 oz bow-tie (farfalle) pasta

→ Salad

02 - 3.5 oz baby spinach, washed and dried
03 - 7 oz fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
04 - 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
05 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Poppy Seed Dressing

07 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon honey
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
03 - In a large salad bowl, combine cooled pasta, baby spinach, sliced strawberries, and toasted almonds.
04 - Drizzle poppy seed dressing over salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Top with crumbled feta cheese and fresh basil if using. Serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It balances sweet strawberries with savory feta and a tangy dressing.
  • Quick and easy to prepare in just 25 minutes.
  • Light and nutritious, making it a great vegetarian main dish or side.
02 -
  • Toast the almonds yourself in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes to get the best crunch.
  • Prepare the dressing in a glass jar and shake it vigorously for an emulsified finish.
  • Wait until the pasta is completely cold before mixing to prevent the spinach from wilting.
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