Spring Spinach Strawberry Pasta Salad (Printable)

Vibrant bow-tie pasta with baby spinach, fresh strawberries, almonds, and homemade poppy seed dressing—ideal for spring and summer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 oz bow-tie farfalle pasta

→ Salad

02 - 3.5 oz baby spinach, washed and dried
03 - 7 oz fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
04 - 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
05 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, thinly sliced, optional

→ Poppy Seed Dressing

07 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tablespoon honey
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add bow-tie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander, rinse under cold water until completely cooled, then transfer to a mixing bowl.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified and well combined.
03 - In a large salad bowl, combine cooled pasta, baby spinach, sliced strawberries, and toasted almonds. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
04 - Drizzle poppy seed dressing over the salad and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated. Top with crumbled feta cheese and fresh basil if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than most people can decide what to order for lunch.
  • The sweet strawberries against tangy dressing create a flavor combination that feels both fancy and comforting.
  • You can make it ahead and it actually gets better as the flavors meld in the fridge.
  • It works as a side dish or a full meal depending on how hungry everyone is.
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta under cold water is not optional, warm pasta will turn your spinach into a sad, wilted mess.
  • Toast the almonds in a dry pan, not with oil, so they get evenly golden and do not turn greasy.
  • Dress the salad right before serving or the spinach will release water and dilute everything.
  • If you are making this ahead, keep the dressing separate and toss it together at the last possible moment.
03 -
  • Use a spider strainer to scoop the pasta directly into a colander so you can save some pasta water just in case the salad needs loosening later.
  • Hull strawberries with a paring knife at an angle to waste less fruit and get cleaner slices.
  • If your poppy seeds are old and flavorless, leave them out entirely rather than using stale ones.
  • Chill your serving bowl in the fridge for ten minutes before assembling so the salad stays cool longer at outdoor events.
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