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Mandarin Pasta Spinach Salad with Teriyaki Dressing

Mandarin Pasta Spinach Salad with Teriyaki Dressing

This Mandarin Pasta Spinach Salad with Teriyaki Dressing is a vibrant, refreshing dish that combines the sweet flavors of mandarin oranges and crunchy nuts with tender pasta and fresh spinach. Perfect for any occasion, this salad takes just 15 minutes to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or summer barbecues. Tossed in a delightful teriyaki dressing, it offers a unique umami flavor that will impress your guests while keeping your meals healthy and satisfying. Enjoy it as a light lunch, a side dish at dinner, or even meal prep for the week ahead!

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: Serves approximately 4

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces bowtie pasta noodles
  • 4 cups spinach leaves
  • ½ cup craisins
  • ⅓ cup pine nuts (or cashews)
  • 1 can (4 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
  • ¼ cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
  • ⅓ cup teriyaki sauce
  • ⅓ cup rice apple vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ½ cup oil

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  2. In a jar, mix teriyaki sauce, rice apple vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, sugar, and oil. Shake well and chill.
  3. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, spinach, craisins, nuts/cashews, mandarin oranges, and cilantro.
  4. Just before serving, pour the chilled dressing over the salad and toss gently until well combined.
  • Author: Juniper
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 220mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 36g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Customize by adding proteins like grilled chicken or tofu for extra substance. Experiment with different nuts for added crunch or use seasonal fruits for variety. Chill the salad before serving to enhance flavor melding.