Recently, I was making a meal for a friend who had unexpectedly lost her mother.
I needed a hearty, no-meat recipe — as she is not the carnivore that lives within me–
So….I set out to create a salad that I was sure she would enjoy.
It has quickly become a favorite at her house as well as ours!
As I remember that week as a busy, crazy one,
I regrettably did not capture pics of each recipe step…but this is easy, peasy!
Just boil and drain the pasta, mix it together in a large bowl with the spinach, the craisins, the mandarin oranges…
Brown the broken noodles from the Ramen package in a bit of butter and olive oil…drain on paper towels …
Right before serving, make the dressing and add to the salad along with the toasted noodles, tossing all well to combine…
Serve and enjoy every last bite!
PrintLisa’s Asian Spinach & Mandarin Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 bag baby spinach, washed and drained
- 1 large can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 1/2cups craisins
- 16 oz box bow tie pasta, cooked and drained
- 1 pkg Ramen Noodles, broken up and toasted in 2TBSP butter and 1 TBSP olive oil; drain on paper towels
- Dressing:
- 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 TBSP sugar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
Mix all dressing ingredients and set aside
Boil pasta per directions on box; drain and let cool.
In medium skillet, heat oil and butter.
Break up Ramen noodles into small pieces; add to skillet and stir continuously until brown and crispy.
Drain noodles on paper towels and set aside to cool.
In a large salad bowl, mix together baby spinach, mandarin oranges, craisins, cooled pasta and dressing; toss well to combine.
Stir in toasted Ramen pieces.
Serve and enjoy!
I also like to add grilled chicken to mine for a very hearty meal.