Description
Autumn Apple Pasta Salad is a vibrant and delicious dish that captures the essence of fall. This salad features a delightful combination of crisp apples, fresh spinach, and sweet mandarin oranges, all generously tossed in a rich poppyseed dressing. Perfect for any autumn gathering—be it a cozy family dinner or an elegant holiday party—this salad not only dazzles the eyes with its bright colors but also tantalizes the taste buds with its unique blend of flavors and textures. With only 25 minutes of preparation time, you can create this healthy and visually appealing dish that is sure to be the star of your table.
Ingredients
- 10 ounces fresh baby spinach
- 1.5 cups uncooked pasta (any type except noodles)
- 3 stalks celery, chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 2 medium Fuji apples, thinly sliced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- ½ cup pecans
- 1 (15-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons white apple vinegar
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water.
- For the dressing, blend all ingredients except poppy seeds until smooth; stir in poppy seeds.
- Toss apple slices with lemon juice to prevent browning; combine them with celery, cranberries, and pecans in a bowl.
- In another bowl, mix cooked pasta with drained mandarin oranges and half of the dressing.
- Combine both mixtures with fresh spinach and drizzle remaining dressing over; toss well before serving.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: None (pasta cooking included)
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Use short pasta shapes like fusilli or penne for better dressing adherence. Feel free to customize by adding nuts or other fruits based on your preference.