Orange Pasta Salad
Bright, zesty, and bursting with fresh flavors, this Orange Pasta Salad is a delightful twist on your classic pasta dishes. Perfect for summer gatherings or a refreshing lunch, this recipe combines tender fusilli or farfalle pasta with vibrant ingredients like juicy orange segments, crisp baby spinach, sweet red bell pepper, and tangy cherry tomatoes. The salad is elevated by a tangy-sweet homemade dressing made with freshly squeezed orange juice, orange zest, honey, and a touch of white wine vinegar, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. A hint of black olives and fresh parsley add depth, while a quick chill melds all the ingredients perfectly. Simple to make in under 30 minutes, this vibrant pasta salad is a crowd-pleaser that pairs beautifully with grilled proteins or stands boldly on its own.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams pasta (fusilli or farfalle)
- 1 whole orange (large)
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 0.5 medium red onion
- 0.5 cup black olives (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
Instructions
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, zest the orange and then juice it to extract about 4 tablespoons of orange juice. Set both aside.
Wash and dry the baby spinach. Slice the red bell pepper into thin strips, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and chop the parsley.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, white wine vinegar, honey, orange zest, salt, and black pepper to form the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, baby spinach, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, black olives, and parsley.
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
Serve the Orange Pasta Salad chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1214 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 65.1 g | 83% | |
| Saturated Fat | 11.1 g | 55% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2154 mg | 94% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 141.1 g | 51% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.3 g | 72% | |
| Total Sugars | 41.6 g | ||
| Protein | 23.2 g | 46% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 296 mg | 23% | |
| Iron | 7.8 mg | 43% | |
| Potassium | 1439 mg | 31% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
