Spring Pasta Salad
A vibrant spring pasta salad combining fresh vegetables, pineapple, and a tangy honey mustard dressing, perfect for outdoor gatherings or light, refreshing meals.
Ingredients
- 1 can pineapple chunks, drained ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. pineapple juice ⓘ
- 2 c. chopped asparagus ⓘ
- 4 c. cooked corkscrew pasta ⓘ
- 1 c. frozen peas ⓘ
- 1 c. sliced celery ⓘ
- 1/2 c. chopped parsley ⓘ
- 1/3 c. chopped green onion ⓘ
- 1/3 c. diced pimento ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, crushed ⓘ
- 1/3 c. vinegar ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. honey ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard ⓘ
- 2 tsp. basil ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix pineapple juice, crushed garlic, vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, basil, and salt to create the dressing.
- Combine the dressing with pineapple chunks, chopped asparagus, cooked pasta, frozen peas, sliced celery, chopped parsley, chopped green onion, and diced pimento.
- Chill the mixture for 1 hour.
- Stir well before serving and chill until ready to serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a vibrant twist, consider adding diced bell peppers or swapping out the asparagus for blanched green beans. You can also use rice vinegar instead of regular vinegar for a milder flavor. If you're pressed for time, store-bought salad dressings like Martha'S Homemade Salad Dressing can be used as a quick alternative, but homemade dressing enhances the salad's freshness.
Serving Suggestions
This Spring Pasta Salad is a perfect side dish for grilled chicken or fish, making it an ideal addition to a summer barbecue. It pairs beautifully with No Sugar Fresh Fruit Ambrosia for a refreshing meal. For a heartier option, serve it alongside Meat Sauce For Meat Loaf, offering a delightful contrast of flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the pasta salad in the microwave, adding a splash of water or extra pineapple juice to maintain moisture. However, this salad is best enjoyed cold, so consider serving it straight from the fridge.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spring Pasta Salad contains roughly 355 calories, with 16g protein, 73g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (142% of the Daily Value), iron (94% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (58% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2283mg per serving (99% 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
Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes! This salad is perfect for meal prep. You can prepare it a day in advance, allowing the flavors to meld together. Just remember to keep it chilled until serving, and give it a good stir before enjoying.
What can I substitute for asparagus?
If asparagus isn't available, consider using blanched broccoli or snap peas for a crunchy texture. You can also incorporate spinach or kale for added greens. The key is to maintain the freshness and color of the salad.
Is this recipe suitable for vegan diets?
Yes, this Spring Pasta Salad can easily be made vegan by ensuring all ingredients are plant-based. The dressing can be adjusted by using maple syrup instead of honey, making it suitable for vegan recipes while retaining a delicious flavor.
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).