Pasta Salad with Spinach Olives and Mozzarella
Bright, fresh, and irresistibly flavorful, this Pasta Salad with Spinach, Olives, and Mozzarella is the ultimate crowd-pleasing side dish or light main course. Featuring tender penne pasta tossed with vibrant baby spinach, juicy cherry tomatoes, briny black olives, and creamy cubes of fresh mozzarella, this recipe balances textures and bold Mediterranean-inspired flavors. A zesty homemade dressing made with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, and oregano ties everything together beautifully. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy pasta salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or meal-prepping. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a dish that's as versatile as it is delicious.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams penne pasta
- 100 grams baby spinach
- 100 grams black olives (pitted and sliced)
- 150 grams fresh mozzarella (cubed)
- 200 grams cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to cool.
While the pasta cools, prepare the spinach, olives, mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes. Place them all into a large mixing bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Add the cooled pasta to the mixing bowl with the vegetables and cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed.
Refrigerate the pasta salad for 20–30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld, or serve immediately if desired.
Garnish with additional oregano or a drizzle of olive oil, if preferred. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2142 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 96.7 g | 124% | |
| Saturated Fat | 29.4 g | 147% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 107 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 2843 mg | 124% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 248.8 g | 90% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.4 g | 69% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.2 g | ||
| Protein | 75.6 g | 151% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1012 mg | 78% | |
| Iron | 18.4 mg | 102% | |
| Potassium | 1325 mg | 28% | |
*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.
