Description
A refreshing Mandarin Orange and Spinach Pasta Salad featuring a tangy teriyaki dressing, tender bow tie pasta, sweet mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, and fresh spinach. Perfectly chilled and tossed with crunchy green onions and toasted sesame seeds, this vibrant salad combines sweet, savory, and tangy flavors ideal for light lunches or potluck gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Teriyaki Dressing
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Pasta Salad
- 8 ounces dried bow tie pasta
- 2 cans (11 ounces each) mandarin oranges, drained
- 1/3 cup craisins (dried cranberries)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (optional)
- 1 bag (6 ounces) baby spinach leaves
Instructions
- Prepare Teriyaki Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, teriyaki sauce, white wine vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and pepper until the sugar is fully dissolved. Set the dressing aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the bow tie pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, then rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Drain thoroughly again.
- Toss Pasta with Dressing: Place the cooled pasta in a large bowl. Pour the prepared teriyaki dressing over the pasta and gently toss to coat all the noodles evenly. Cover the bowl with a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours to allow flavors to meld.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: When ready to serve, add the drained mandarin oranges, craisins, sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds if using, and baby spinach leaves to the dressed pasta. Gently toss everything together until well combined.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately after tossing to enjoy the fresh textures and lively flavors.
Notes
- Rinsing the pasta with cold water after cooking is key to preventing it from becoming mushy and to cool it for the salad.
- For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the sesame seeds before adding them to the salad.
- This salad can be made a day ahead; just toss the fresh ingredients in right before serving.
- Optionally, substitute bow tie pasta with penne or rotini for a different texture.
