Fruity Spring Pasta Salad (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Salad Ingredients
01 -
8 ounces medium sized pasta (bow tie, fusilli, or penne)
02 -
3 carrots, chopped
03 -
2 cups strawberries, sliced
04 -
1 mango, pit removed, diced
05 -
2 mandarins, peeled and separated
06 -
1 small bunch of greens (spinach or your preference), washed, trimmed, chopped
07 -
1 large bell pepper, diced (mix of red, yellow and orange recommended)
08 -
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
09 -
1/2 cup dried cranberries
10 -
Zest of half a lemon
11 -
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
12 -
1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
→ Lemon Honey Dressing
13 -
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
14 -
2 lemons, juiced (about 1/4 cup)
15 -
1/4 cup honey
# Instructions:
01 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, then rinse with cold water to cool it quickly and stop the cooking process.
02 -
In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped carrots, sliced strawberries, diced mango, mandarin segments, chopped greens, diced bell pepper, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
03 -
In a mason jar or salad dressing container, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, and honey. Shake vigorously or whisk until well mixed and slightly emulsified.
04 -
Pour half of the dressing over the pasta salad and gently stir to coat all ingredients. Reserve the remaining dressing for serving or to refresh the salad later.
05 -
Add the chopped parsley, mint, and lemon zest to the salad. Stir again to incorporate. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
06 -
Refrigerate the salad until ready to serve. Just before serving, stir well and add additional reserved dressing if the salad seems dry.
# Notes:
01 -
Reserving half the dressing helps keep the salad fresh, as the pasta tends to absorb dressing when refrigerated.
02 -
This salad is highly customizable - try adding avocado, chickpeas, feta cheese, or grilled chicken.
03 -
For a shortcut version, a store-bought poppy seed dressing works well as a substitute for the homemade lemon-honey dressing.