Asparagus And Spinach Pasta Salad Recipes

ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Heat shallot and oil in microwave safe covered dish for 30 seconds or in a small pan on the stovetop over medium low heat for 5 minutes. Allow oil to cool back to room temperature.
• Hold a spear of asparagus at each end and snap it. The spear breaks where the tender tops meet the tough bottoms. Line the broken spear up with the bundle of cleaned asparagus. Cut the spears using the guideline of the snapped spear. Par boil the asparagus tops in 1 inch simmering water covered for 3 to 5 minutes. Cool under cold running water and drain. Cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces on an angle and add to a bowl. Combine chopped, cooked asparagus with shredded endive, red bell pepper, cooked pasta, green peas and chopped parsley. The peas will defrost as you toss salad. Pour vinegar into a small bowl and whisk in cooled shallot oil. Pour dressing over salad and toss. Season salad with salt and pepper, to your taste and toss again.

TORTELLINI-ASPARAGUS SALAD

Steps:

• Cook tortellini with asparagus in large saucepan according to package directions for pasta. Drain. Meanwhile, combine ranch dressing, ReaLime® and Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Add pasta mixture; toss gently to coat.
• Chill at least 2 hours. Before serving, sprinkle with pepper.

WARM ASPARAGUS SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• Place asparagus in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil; sprinkle with salt. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring every 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain., In a blender, combine the onions, vinegar and soy sauce; cover and process until smooth. While processing, gradually add the remaining oil in a steady steam., In a large salad bowl, combine the pasta, spinach and asparagus. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat. Sprinkle with cashews and cheese.

CREAMY ASPARAGUS PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Add pasta to boiling water and cook for 7 minutes; add prepared vegetables to the pot and continue to cook for 3 more minutes, or until al dente.
• Drain.
• In the meantime prepare the sauce.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add onions and garlic and cook for 3 minutes, or until tender.
• In a small mixing bowl combine flour and chicken broth; whisk until thoroughly incorporated.
• Add broth mixture to the onion mixture in the pan.
• Whisk in milk; continue to whisk constantly and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and cook for 1 more minute, or until thickened.
• Stir in the cream cheese; stir until melted.
• Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and remove from heat.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Add pasta and vegetables to the sauce; stir until completely combined.
• Serve.

ASPARAGUS-SPINACH PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Place asparagus in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil; sprinkle with salt. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring after 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain., For dressing, combine onions, vinegar and soy sauce in a blender; cover and process. While processing, gradually add the remaining oil in a steady steam., In a large salad bowl, combine pasta, spinach and asparagus. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat. Sprinkle with cashews and Parmesan cheese.

PESTO PASTA WITH SPINACH, ASPARAGUS, AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Make pesto: Combine basil, pine nuts, oil and garlic in a food processor. Blend until paste forms, stopping often to push down basil. Add cheeses and sea salt. Blend until smooth. Transfer to small bowl. (Makes about 2/3 cup. Can be made 1 day ahead. Top with 1/4 inch olive oil and chill.).
• Prepare pasta: Cook pasta per package directions. Drain and return to pot.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat while pasta cooks. Add asparagus and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Cook 4 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook until asparagus are tender 2-3 minutes longer. Remove from heat.
• Add pesto, spinach, and chicken (if using) to pasta and toss until well-combined. Sprinkle with grated or shaved Parmesan. Serve warm, or chill and serve cold.

ASPARAGUS PASTA SALAD WITH ITALIAN DRESSING

Steps:

• For the dressing: Whisk together all of the ingredients in a medium bowl until combined. Set aside.
• For the pasta salad: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions, just until al dente. Add the asparagus and cook it with the pasta for 1 more minute. Drain the pasta and asparagus then rinse with cold water and drain thoroughly.
• Transfer the pasta and asparagus to a large bowl. Stir in the onions and tomatoes. Pour the dressing over the pasta, toss to combine, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to overnight. When ready to serve, stir in the Parmesan and enjoy cold or at room temperature.

PENNE, SPINACH, ASPARAGUS AND CASHEW SALAD

Steps:

• Cook asparagus in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 3 minutes.
• Using slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to small bowl. Cool.
• Add pasta to same pot and cook until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain well.
• Transfer pasta to very large bowl.
• Toss with 1 tablespoon oil. Cool.
• Blend cup oil, green onions, vinegar and soy sauce in blender until smooth, about 2 minutes. (Asparagus, pasta and dressing can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately; chill.)
• Pour dressing over pasta.
• Add asparagus, spinach and cashews; toss to coat.
• Season with salt and pepper.

ASPARAGUS AND ARTICHOKE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add asparagus and cook until tender, about 1 minute. Strain asparagus out of water and immediately plunge into a bowl filled with ice water; let sit in ice water until completely cold, then cut into 1 inch pieces. Next, add pasta to boiling water and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, rinse with cold water until chilled, then drain well.
• Stir together mayonnaise, balsamic vinaigrette, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. Fold in artichoke, chicken, cranberries, almonds, crumbled bacon, and asparagus. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then fold in cooked pasta. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

ASPARAGUS, SPINACH, AND CRISPED-PROSCIUTTO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange prosciutto in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and brush with oil. Bake until crisp and deep golden, about 9 minutes. Let cool on a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add asparagus and cook until just tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking; drain, then cut into 2-inch pieces on the bias. Add peas to water and cook until just tender and bright green, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to ice water to stop the cooking; drain. Add potatoes to water and cook until just tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain and let cool slightly.
• Whisk together buttermilk, mayonnaise, shallot, and lemon juice in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Combine asparagus, peas, potatoes, tarragon, and spinach in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among 4 plates and top with crisped prosciutto. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons dressing and serve with remaining dressing on the side.

PENNE, SPINACH, ASPARAGUS AND CASHEW SALAD

Steps:

• Cook asparagus in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to small bowl. Cool. Add pasta to same pot and cook until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain well. Transfer pasta to very large bowl. Toss with 1 tablespoon oil. Cool.
• Blend cup oil, green onions, vinegar and soy sauce in blender until smooth, about 2 minutes. (Asparagus, pasta and dressing can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately; chill.) Pour dressing over pasta. Add asparagus, spinach and cashews; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.