Spinach Pasta Salad

5.00 (12)
⏱ 30 mins 🍽 6-8 serving(s) 🌶 italian 🏷 Pasta Shells

This light Italian pasta salad features a vibrant, homemade dressing made by blending fresh spinach, basil, garlic, and Parmesan into a paste, which is then mixed with mayonnaise. The dressing is tossed through cooked pasta shells and chilled thoroughly before serving. It's an ideal make-ahead dish for gatherings.

Spinach Pasta Salad

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces ziti pasta or 8 ounces rigatoni pasta, cooked,drained,and rinsed
  • 1 cup lightly packed fresh spinach leaves
  • 1/4 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaf
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/2 cup light mayonnaise

Method

  1. Place the fresh spinach, basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper into a blender.
  2. Pour in the olive oil and water, then cover and blend the ingredients until they form a nearly smooth paste.
  3. Stir the light mayonnaise into the blended spinach mixture.
  4. Pour the prepared dressing over the cooked pasta and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated.
  5. Cover the salad and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours.
  6. This dish can be prepared a full day in advance.

Nutrition (per serving)

Sodium239900 mg

Recipe details

CategoryPasta Shells
Cuisineitalian
AuthorBen's Mom