Radiatori Pasta Salad

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This radiatori pasta salad recipe is a light and refreshing salad, loaded with fresh vegetables, grated parmesan cheese, cooked noodles, and a 5-minute homemade vinaigrette dressing. It’s a fantastic side dish for a potluck, to serve with dinner, or makes a great light lunch.

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Total Time25

Course: Lunch, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: 1-cup servings

Calories: 364kcal

Author: Kelly Jensen

Cost: $4

Equipment

Large Pot
Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

For the Pasta Salad

1 lb radiatori pasta
1 medium cucumber diced
1 bell pepper sliced
1 large tomato chopped
4 cups baby spinach chopped
1 14- ounce can chickpeas drained and rinsed
1/4 cup fresh dill

For the Dressing

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon each sea salt and black pepper

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain in a colander, rinse under cold water, and place the drained pasta into a large mixing bowl.
Chop the cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper, and baby spinach, and drain and rinse the chickpeas. Add them to the bowl with the cooled pasta.
In a small mixing bowl, add all the dressing ingredients together with the fresh dill, and whisk well to combine.
Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss well.
Top with parmesan cheese if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

Additions and Substitutions

Other vegetable additions to this salad would be olives, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, chopped broccoli or cauliflower, shredded cabbage, arugula, or carrots.

While the homemade dressing is really delicious, if you are short on time, you can use a store-bought Italian dressing or Greek vinaigrette.

Add protein! Extra beans, marinated tofu, or cooked meats (like shredded chicken, salami, or prosciutto) would be great additions.

You can use a pre-grated parmesan cheese instead of grating your own.

Expert Tips

For a vegan version, you can omit the Parmesan cheese, or use a plant-based version instead.
If you are making this dish ahead of time, you can prepare the recipe but don’t add the spinach until just before serving. The spinach will wilt once tossed with the pasta salad dressing, so that is best fresh.
Make it a meal! Add your favorite cooked protein for a light and refreshing dinner idea. This makes an excellent meal to enjoy when it’s too hot to cook.

Nutrition