Spinach, Sun-dried Tomato, Parmesan & Pine Nut Pasta Salad
Fresh spring spinach simply dressed with olive oil and umami-packed ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan and pine nuts with pasta to make it a simple yet sophisticated picnic friendly salad.
Yield
4 servingsPrep
5 minCook
10 minReady
20 minOh, the joy of a well-crafted, simple spring spinach salad!
This quick and easy salad comprises the most uncomplicated yet sophisticated ingredients: pasta, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, sundried tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, and baby spinach leaves.
First, we have the pasta, the foundation of our masterpiece. This humble ingredient, made from wheat and water, brings a satisfying, comforting, and sophisticated chewiness.
It provides a solid base for the other ingredients to shine.
Now, let's talk about the parmesan cheese, a true aristocrat of the cheese world. This aged delicacy brings a sharp, nutty flavor that adds depth and complexity to our salad, making each bite a delightful surprise.
Then, we have the pine nuts, small yet mighty. These little gems bring a delicate, buttery flavor and a satisfying crunch, adding a touch of luxury to our dish.
And who could forget the sundried tomatoes, these little crimson gems bursting with a concentrated, sweet-tart flavor, infusing our salad with a comforting, sun-kissed richness. And of course, the extra virgin olive oil, the very essence of Mediterranean cuisine.
This golden elixir brings a fruity, peppery flavor and a smooth, velvety texture, perfectly tying all the other ingredients together.
And finally, we have the baby spinach leaves, a vibrant, leafy green that adds a burst of color and a fresh, earthy flavor to our dish. Their lush, green hue provides a beautiful backdrop for our salad, making it a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
They provide a lush backdrop for our dish.
Ingredients
Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
---|---|---|---|
8 | ounces |
pasta
|
|
4 | tablespoons |
Parmesan cheese
fresh |
|
2 | tablespoons |
pine nuts
toasted |
|
3 | tablespoons |
sundried tomatoes
semi with oil, roughly chopped |
|
¼ | cup |
olive oil, extra-virgin
|
|
6 | ounces |
baby spinach
or chopped fresh spinach |
* |
Ingredients
Amount | Measure | Ingredient | Features |
---|---|---|---|
5E+2 | grams |
pasta
|
|
6E+1 | ml |
Parmesan cheese
fresh |
|
3E+1 | ml |
pine nuts
toasted |
|
45 | ml |
sundried tomatoes
semi with oil, roughly chopped |
|
118 | ml |
olive oil, extra-virgin
|
|
175 | grams |
baby spinach
or chopped fresh spinach |
* |
Directions
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, tender yet with some tooth.
Drain well and add to a mixing bowl, tossing with the olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, and 1/2 the Parmesan cheese. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Add the spinach, tossing well to combine, and serve topped with reserved Parmesan cheese and pine nuts.
Variation: add chopped marinated artichoke hearts