Best Spinach Avocado Penne Pasta Salad Recipes

CREAMY SPINACH AND AVOCADO PASTA

Creamy Spinach and Avocado Pasta image

Make and share this Creamy Spinach and Avocado Pasta recipe from Food.com.

Provided by sofie-a-toast

Categories Lunch/Snacks

Time 15m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

10 -12 ounces pasta
2 tablespoons butter
1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
1 pinch salt, more to taste
10 -12 ounces spinach
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into large chunks
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 cup grated fresh pecorino romano cheese or 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

Steps:

Get the pasta cooking in a very large pot of salted boiling water. When it's finished, drain pasta from the pot, setting aside about 1/2 cup of pasta water. Return pasta to large pot and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes. Add a pinch of salt and the spinach to the saucepan (Yes, the pan will be full. Just stuff it all in.) Cover pot and reduce heat to medium-low. Let the mixture cook for about 4-5 minutes or until the spinach is completely wilted.
Add the yogurt, avocado, lemon and 2 Tablespoons of reserved pasta water to the spinach mixture. Stir it a bit, then buzz it up with an immersion blender. (If you don't have one, transfer to a food processor or a blender. Blend well, and return sauce to the pot.) Stir in the cheese, and add more pasta water if it seems too thick. Add salt and pepper generously to taste.
If your pasta is still hot, simply toss the pasta and sauce together in a large serving bowl. If it's not, then combine the past and sauce in one of the pots (preferably the larger one) and cook over medium low until everything is hot. To serve sprinkle with grated cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 413.6, Fat 14.5, SaturatedFat 5, Cholesterol 15.3, Sodium 153.5, Carbohydrate 60.5, Fiber 7.2, Sugar 2.6, Protein 12.4

SPINACH PENNE SALAD

Spinach Penne Salad image

This healthy recipe will shine as is, or double the vinaigrette and use half to marinate and grill chicken breasts if you want to add a protein. Slice and add to the salad. -Benice Silver, Carmel, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) uncooked whole wheat penne pasta
VINAIGRETTE:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
SALAD:
1 package (6 ounces) fresh baby spinach
3 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
3/4 cup (6 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup sliced ripe or Greek olives

Steps:

In a Dutch oven, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water; drain again., Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, spinach, tomatoes, feta cheese, onions and olives. Add vinaigrette; toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 327 calories, Fat 15g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 7mg cholesterol, Sodium 233mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 11g protein.