Penne Spinach Asparagus and Cashew Salad
Elevate your pasta salad game with this vibrant Penne Spinach Asparagus and Cashew Salad—a delightful dish that balances tender penne pasta, sautéed asparagus, fresh spinach leaves, and crunchy toasted cashews. Tossed with a zesty garlic-lemon dressing and finished with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan, this wholesome recipe combines creamy, nutty, and citrusy flavors in every bite. Ready in just 25 minutes, this quick and easy salad is perfect as a light lunch, a side dish for dinner, or a refreshing make-ahead option for potlucks. Packed with nutrients and bursting with fresh ingredients, it’s a crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again! Keywords: pasta salad, spinach asparagus salad, cashew salad recipe, easy side dishes, healthy pasta recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams penne pasta
- 200 grams asparagus
- 100 grams fresh spinach leaves
- 50 grams raw cashews
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic clove
- 30 grams grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, rinse the asparagus and trim off the woody ends. Cut the asparagus into 2-inch pieces.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the asparagus and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Remove from the heat and set aside.
In the same skillet, dry-toast the cashews over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they’re golden and fragrant. Remove from the skillet and let cool.
Mince the garlic clove finely. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sautéed asparagus, fresh spinach leaves, and toasted cashews. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and give it one final gentle toss.
Serve the Penne Spinach Asparagus and Cashew Salad immediately or chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes for a cooler dish. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
276 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 15.3 g | 20% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.6 g | 18% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 7 mg | 2% | |
| Sodium | 393 mg | 17% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 26.5 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.4 g | ||
| Protein | 10.9 g | 22% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 132 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 3.2 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 361 mg | 8% | |
*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.
