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!

Lisa’s Asian Spinach & Mandarin Pasta Salad Recipe

Scale

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

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.