Looking for a vibrant and refreshing salad that’s perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or potlucks? This Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad is exactly what you need! The combination of fresh strawberries, tender spinach, and pasta tossed in a light, homemade poppy seed dressing creates a burst of flavor in every bite. It’s easy to make, light, and incredibly delicious. Plus, the sweet and tangy dressing takes this salad to the next level, making it a crowd-pleaser every time.

Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad is the ideal dish for any occasion. It’s packed with fresh ingredients, is light yet satisfying, and has a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. The spinach adds a refreshing green crunch, while the strawberries bring a natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with the creamy dressing. The poppy seed dressing is easy to make and adds the perfect finishing touch to this dish. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner, BBQ, or potluck, this salad is sure to impress everyone who tries it.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious salad:

For the Salad:

1 lb. bow tie pasta (or any pasta of your choice)
3 cups baby spinach (chopped)
1 lb. strawberries (sliced)

For the Poppy Seed Dressing:

3/4 cup raspberry vinegar or cider vinegar
3 tablespoons honey
3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
3 teaspoons cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
3/4 teaspoon mustard powder
3 teaspoons poppy seeds

Instructions

Making this Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad is quick and easy! Here’s how to put it all together:

1. Cook the Pasta:

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Once done, drain the pasta and let it cool completely.

2. Prepare the Dressing:

In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, honey, olive oil, cornstarch, salt, onion powder, mustard powder, and poppy seeds.
Bring the mixture to a boil while whisking constantly. Once it thickens and reaches the desired consistency (usually in about 30 seconds), remove it from heat.
Let the dressing cool down to room temperature.

3. Assemble the Salad:

In a large bowl, toss together the cooled pasta, chopped spinach, and sliced strawberries.
Once the dressing has cooled, pour it over the pasta mixture and gently fold everything together until the salad is evenly coated.

4. Serve:

Once everything is well mixed, your Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad is ready to serve! Enjoy it immediately or refrigerate it for a bit before serving for an extra chilled, refreshing dish.

Tips and Notes

Pasta Choices: You can use any pasta you like, but bow tie pasta (also called farfalle) works especially well because it holds the dressing nicely in the creases.
Sweetness: Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the dressing by adding more or less honey to suit your taste.
Make-Ahead: This salad can be made a few hours in advance, allowing the flavors to meld together. Just be sure to keep it chilled until ready to serve.
Add-ins: For extra flavor and texture, you can add nuts like almonds or walnuts, or even cheese like feta or goat cheese for a creamy twist.

Variations

Different Greens: If you’re not a fan of spinach, you can swap it out for other leafy greens like arugula or mixed greens.
Nuts and Seeds: For a bit of crunch, toss in some chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, or even some toasted sunflower seeds.
Cheese: Adding some crumbled feta or goat cheese will elevate the flavor, giving the salad a creamy and savory contrast to the sweetness of the strawberries.

FAQ

Can I use other fruits besides strawberries?
Yes! This salad is quite versatile. You can substitute strawberries with other berries like blueberries or raspberries, or even try peaches or mangoes for a tropical twist.

Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
Yes, the poppy seed dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just make sure to let it cool completely before storing.

Can I use a store-bought dressing?
While homemade dressing is always the best, you can use a store-bought poppy seed dressing if you’re short on time. Just keep in mind that homemade dressing offers a fresher and more personalized flavor.

Conclusion

This Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad is the perfect dish to add to your summer recipe collection. It’s easy to prepare, full of fresh ingredients, and has a beautiful balance of flavors that will make it the star of any potluck, picnic, or BBQ. The homemade poppy seed dressing adds a deliciously tangy touch, and the combination of strawberries and spinach provides a refreshing bite every time. Give this recipe a try, and you’ll have everyone asking for the recipe!