Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad
Updated
Updated
This Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad is a bright and refreshing pasta salad that’s perfect for spring and summer luncheons or potlucks. It’s loaded with fresh ingredients, like strawberries, avocado, and spinach, plus goat cheese and almonds. The vinaigrette is sweet and tangy made from balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard. Every bite is like a circus of flavors!
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Serve this pasta salad at your next get-together and watch everyone ask for the recipe! It’s packed full of so many textures and flavors, every bite is amazing. And it’s easy to customize, so if you don’t like a particular add-in, like the mushrooms, you can just leave it out. It’s perfect for a light summer lunch or pair it with grilled chicken for an easy, stress-free dinner.
Helpful Tips & Variations
- Cool the pasta. After draining the pasta, run it under cold water. This helps cool it down and prevents it from continuing to cook. It also helps prevent it from sticking together.
- Use any small pasta. Other small pasta, like penne and bowties, can be used in place of the rotini.
- Try it with feta. If you’re not a huge fan of goat cheese or just want something different, feta is a great replacement.
- Use mixed greens. I like baby spinach in this salad but another option is to use mixed greens that include spinach, arugula, and other greens.
- Add the avocado last. The avocado will likely be the first ingredient to brown so if you aren’t enjoying this salad immediately, wait to add the avocado.
Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry rotini pasta
- 1/2 cup olive oil, , divided
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 & 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Coarse salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, , hulled, sliced
- 1 small shallot, , thinly sliced
- 4 ounces baby spinach
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, , torn
- 1 & 1/2 cups thinly sliced button mushrooms
- 1 small ripe avocado, , cubed small
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, , toasted
- 1 scallion, , diced
- 6 ounces crumbled goat cheese
- Balsamic glaze, (store bought or homemade – see note)
Instructions
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook 1 pound rotini pasta al dente, according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In the meantime, add 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup balsamic, 2 & 1/2 tablespoons honey, and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard to a large bowl and whisk to combine. Season with some salt and pepper to taste.
- Add to the bowl with the dressing the cooked and drained pasta, 1 pound sliced strawberries, a thinly sliced shallot, 4 ounces baby spinach, and 1/2 cup torn basil leaves. Toss to coat and season with a bit of salt and pepper again, if needed.
- Add in 1 & 1/2 cups thinly sliced mushrooms, 1 cubed ripe avocado, 1/2 cup sliced almonds, 1 diced scallion, and 6 ounces crumbled goat cheese. Gently toss to combine.
- Drizzle lightly with some balsamic glaze. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.
Did you make this? Leave a rating below!
Serving Suggestions
I personally love this strawberry balsamic pasta salad as a light lunch during the summer months. To make it a bit heartier, feel free to add some diced grilled chicken. Another option is to serve it as a side salad. It pairs very well with grilled and BBQ meats, whether we’re talking about turkey burgers and hot dogs, grilled chicken, or baby back ribs.
Proper Storage
Leftover strawberry balsamic pasta salad should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It’s best enjoyed within 1-2 days or as long as the avocados stay fresh. Without avocado, it can last for an extra day or so, but keep in the mind that the greens will continue to soften once the salad is dressed.
More Pasta Salad Recipes
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
- Greek Pasta Salad
- Turkey Apple Pasta Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Macaroni Salad
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube!
This recipe was absolutely fantastic! All the different flavors and textures were a perfect combination and complement to some grilled chicken! I’m definitely keeping this recipe and making over and over! Thank you.