Artichoke-And-Pasta Salad
A vibrant, refreshing pasta salad with artichokes, spinach, tomatoes, and feta, dressed in lemon-basil vinaigrette — perfect for light lunches or summer gatherings.
Ingredients
- 14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and divided ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. water ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. dried basil ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. dried oregano ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper ⓘ
- 1 garlic clove, minced ⓘ
- 3 cups cooked radiatore (about 5 oz. uncooked, short, coiled pasta) ⓘ
- 2 cups thinly sliced spinach ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped, seeded tomato ⓘ
- 1/4 cup crumbled Feta cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine 2 artichoke hearts, olive oil, water, lemon juice, dried basil, dried oregano, black pepper, and minced garlic in a blender or food processor and process until smooth.
- In a large bowl, toss cooked radiatore pasta with the blended artichoke mixture until evenly coated.
- Add sliced spinach, chopped seeded tomato, and crumbled feta cheese to the pasta and gently toss to combine.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider adding a dollop of Greek yogurt to the artichoke mixture. If you don't have radiatore pasta, any short pasta will work well, such as fusilli or penne. Fresh herbs like parsley or dill can be added for extra flavor. For a gluten-free option, use chickpea or lentil pasta instead.
Serving Suggestions
This Artichoke-And-Pasta Salad pairs beautifully with a side of Tomato-Yogurt Soup for a light meal. You can also serve it alongside grilled chicken or fish for added protein. For a vegetarian option, consider adding roasted chickpeas for extra texture and flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavors will meld together nicely, but the spinach may wilt. If desired, reheat gently in a microwave or enjoy it cold for a refreshing salad experience.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Artichoke-And-Pasta Salad contains roughly 652 calories, with 16g protein, 63g carbohydrates, and 39g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (47% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (45% of the Daily Value), and iron (43% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 933mg per serving (41% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I substitute for feta cheese?
If you want a different cheese, crumbled goat cheese or even shredded mozzarella can work well as a substitute for feta. For a dairy-free option, try using a plant-based feta alternative or omit the cheese altogether.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).