Pasta Bacon Spinach Salad
Elevate your salad game with this vibrant and hearty Pasta Bacon Spinach Salad! Perfectly al dente pasta combines with crispy bacon, fresh baby spinach, juicy cherry tomatoes, and tangy red onion for a delightful mix of textures and flavors. A savory homemade dressing made from olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and garlic adds a zesty finishing touch, tying all the ingredients together beautifully. Topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this salad is as satisfying as it is versatile—serve it as a refreshing side dish or a standalone main course. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights, potlucks, or summer gatherings.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams pasta (such as rotini or bowtie)
- 6 slices bacon
- 100 grams baby spinach
- 200 grams cherry tomatoes
- 0.5 red onion
- 50 grams parmesan cheese (shredded or shaved)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, and set aside to cool.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crispy. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
Wash and halve the cherry tomatoes. Thinly slice the red onion.
In a large salad bowl, combine the cooked pasta, baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, and crumbled bacon.
To prepare the dressing, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
Sprinkle the shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese over the top of the salad and give it a final toss.
Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together. Enjoy your Pasta Bacon Spinach Salad!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
324 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 19.1 g | 24% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.5 g | 27% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 22 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 652 mg | 28% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 26.3 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.5 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.7 g | ||
| Protein | 13.2 g | 26% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 192 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 251 mg | 5% | |
*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.
