Spring Healthy Pasta Dinner Salad Recipe | Homemade Recipes from Scratch 2023

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Healthy Pasta Dinner Recipes: Quick and Tasty Meal Choices

My spring healthy pasta dinner salad is one of the most delicious pasta dishes you have ever prepared!

➡️ It’s still spring and it’s time to practice your best healthy pasta dinner recipes. As you may have noticed, the market tables are loaded with plenty of fresh and healthy vegetables, so it’s hard for me to choose just some, and I usually get home with too many veggies in the basket. But this is not a problem, after all, I have enough recipes at hand!

➡️ However, what’s your take on a healthy pasta dinner? I can’t give you an exact definition, but what I know for sure is that if you want a healthy pasta dinner it shouldn’t be full of meat sauce, bacon, Parmesan cheese, or sour cream! Use lots of veggies, mushrooms, fish, and maybe a little mozzarella or ricotta to add a few more calories to quench your hunger and get a good night’s sleep!

➡️ Therefore, put pasta bake and scalloped pasta recipes aside for the fall, when you need more calories, and prepare a new recipe for your healthy pasta dinner every day. It’s time for a new beginning to load your body with vitamins and minerals that will put you on your feet in no time and will even make you lose a few pounds!

➡️ My “Spring Healthy Pasta Dinner Salad Recipe” is a delicious and nutritious salad that combines fresh and healthy ingredients to create a filling and satisfying meal. This salad is perfect for those looking for a healthy and easy-to-make dinner option that is perfect for spring.

➡️ The salad includes tender farfalle pasta, which is also known as bow tie pasta. The pasta holds the dressing well and adds a delightful texture to the dish. The salad also includes crunchy broccoli, which is a fantastic source of vitamins C and K, fiber, and folate. Additionally, the salad includes crisp green peas, which are a great source of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins C and K. These vegetables add a wonderful crunch and freshness to the salad, making it both satisfying and refreshing.

➡️ My “Spring Healthy Pasta Dinner Salad” is a great meal to prepare in advance. It can be made up to a day ahead and stored in the fridge. The pasta and vegetables will continue to soak up the flavors of the dressing, making it even more delicious over time. The salad is perfect for lunch or dinner and can also be served as a side dish for a springtime barbecue.

➡️ I assure you that my Spring Healthy Pasta Dinner Salad is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for spring. It combines fresh and healthy ingredients to create a filling and satisfying meal that can be made in advance. The basil dressing is a classic blend of fresh basil leaves, olive oil, white wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper, giving the salad a delicious flavor. This salad is perfect for those looking for a healthy and easy-to-make dinner option that is perfect for spring.

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How to Make a Healthy Pasta Dinner Salad at Home

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Spring Healthy Pasta Dinner Salad

My Spring Healthy Pasta Dinner Salad is a nutritious and delicious dish that is perfect for any time of the year, but especially in the spring when fresh produce is abundant. This salad is a great option for those looking for a healthy, filling, and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for dinner. This pasta salad combines the perfect blend of fresh, vibrant, and crunchy vegetables with tender farfalle pasta and a delicious basil dressing that is bursting with flavor.

Farfalle pasta, also known as bow tie pasta, is the perfect choice for this salad because it holds the dressing well and adds a delightful texture to the dish. Broccoli is a fantastic source of vitamins C and K, fiber, and folate, while green peas are a great source of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins C and K. These vegetables add a wonderful crunch and freshness to the salad, making it both satisfying and refreshing.

The basil dressing is the perfect accompaniment to this salad. It is a classic blend of fresh basil leaves, olive oil, white wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper, giving the salad a deliciously tangy and savory flavor. The dressing also makes the salad more nutritious as basil is a great source of vitamin K, iron, and calcium.

This Spring Healthy Pasta Dinner Salad is a great meal to prepare in advance, as it can be made up to a day ahead and stored in the fridge. The pasta and vegetables will continue to soak up the flavors of the dressing, making it even more delicious over time.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories

Ingredients

8 oz farfalle pasta
1 head of broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup green peas, trimmed
½ cup fresh basil leaves
¼ cup olive oil
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the broccoli and green peas for 2-3 minutes or until they are bright green and tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
In a blender or food processor, combine the basil leaves, olive oil, white wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, blanched broccoli and green peas, and the basil dressing. Toss until everything is well coated.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the salad, then add several fresh basil leaves for more color and flavor.
Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Cooking Tips:

Be sure not to overcook the pasta, as it will become mushy and lose its texture.
When blanching the broccoli and green peas, be careful not to overcook them, as they will become soggy and lose their vibrant green color.
To make this recipe even healthier, use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta.
If you want to make this recipe even more filling, add some grilled chicken or shrimp.
Be sure to let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Keyword pasta dinner, pasta recipe, pasta salad

Cooking a Healthy Pasta Dinner at Home is a Breeze!

➡️ I simply love cooking pasta with vegetables, and my family loves these dishes too. For some, it’s also a great way to use those veggies that are not eaten when you have children in the family. Plus, it’s so much healthier than the food you cook usually for dinner!

➡️ When it comes to my favorite vegetables and herbs for a healthy pasta dinner, I would mention first broccoli, green peas, basil leaves, and spinach. Of course, to make pasta salad I use many other vegs that are in season throughout the spring – carrots, radishes, green onions, tomatoes, asparagus, and so on.

➡️ Cooking pasta is an excellent way to eat healthily, but it can be tricky. Most pasta is made with flour and oil, which can add unwanted calories and fat to your diet. So, cook foods in which the proportion of pasta is lower than that of mushrooms and vegetables. This way, you will feel full but you will ingest a few fewer calories that could make a difference, in time, in the kilograms you have.

➡️ Healthy pasta dinner recipes are easy to cook and help you get a low-calorie diet! This is why a pasta dinner featuring a healthy pasta salad is a perfect choice! If you need additional info, read more on The Health Benefits Of Pasta!

➡️ To enjoy healthy eating, I recommend you to browse lots of healthy dinner ideas featured in my cookbooks available on Healthy Eating Cookbook Series.

FAQs for Healthy Pasta Dinner Recipes

What are some healthy pasta dinner options?

There are several healthy pasta dinner options to explore, such as whole wheat pasta with lean protein like grilled chicken or shrimp, vegetable-based pasta dishes with marinara sauce, or zucchini noodles (zoodles) with a homemade pesto sauce.

Can pasta be a part of a healthy diet?

Absolutely! Pasta can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation and paired with nutritious ingredients. Opt for whole wheat or alternative grain pastas and incorporate plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats into your pasta dishes.

Are there gluten-free alternatives for healthy pasta dinners?

Yes, there are various gluten-free alternatives available for healthy pasta dinners, such as brown rice pasta, quinoa pasta, chickpea pasta, or zucchini noodles. These options provide a nutritious base for your healthy pasta dinners while catering to gluten-free dietary needs.

How can I make my pasta dinners healthier?

To make your pasta dinners healthier, consider adding more vegetables to your pasta dishes, using lean proteins like grilled chicken or tofu, opting for tomato-based sauces instead of heavy cream-based ones, and controlling portion sizes. Additionally, using whole wheat or alternative grain pasta can increase the nutritional value.

Can I enjoy a healthy pasta dinner while watching my calorie intake?

Yes, it’s possible to enjoy a healthy pasta dinner while keeping an eye on your calorie intake. Portion control is key, and you can incorporate more vegetables into your dish to bulk it up while reducing the amount of pasta. Additionally, using lighter sauce options and lean protein sources can help keep the calorie count in check.