Sundried Tomato Pasta – Spinach Salad in Disguise
One of my favorite foods of all time is salad. Yep, you heard me right. salad! I eat it for lunch nearly every day, in a giant mixing bowl so I have plenty of room for toppings (I like to really load it up!) On most days, I just use whatever I have in my fridge….usually lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, avocados, cheese, and turkey….and always honey mustard dressing. Greta, who won’t even touch lettuce, looks at it every day in disgust and asks me why I am eating salad…..again……!?
At which point I look at her and ask why she is eating mac and cheese…..again….and we both agree that we eat what we like. 🙂 And, although my “everyday salad” is pretty consistent, I also LOVE to mix it up and try new combinations. Which is exactly where the inspiration for this sundried tomato pasta recipe came from.
A spinach salad with goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, chicken, and pine nuts. Pure deliciousness on a plate. I first had it at one of my favorite Italian restaurants. And then I became obsessed. Last summer I made my own version of the salad (several times)….then a pizza using the same ingredients….and now this sundried tomato pasta recipe I am sharing with you today. When you find something that works…….you come up with as many different ways to eat it as possible….(right?)
The thing I love about this combination is the way the flavors can all stand on their own….but compliment one another so nicely when added to the same dish. I also love the fact that most of these ingredients will keep well in the fridge….so you can keep them on hand and whip this meal together without having to make a grocery run!
And, of course, I can’t help but mention the fact that the lack of sauce in this dish is just light enough for Spring. Yes, yes it is. Perfect for warmer weather……which should be well on its way by now 🙂
How to Make Sundried Tomato Pasta:
Sundried Tomato Pasta
A light pasta dish with spinach, sundried tomatoes and absolutely no pasta sauce. A healthy salad meets a comforting pasta dinner with this recipe.
Ingredients
- 3 cups fusilli pasta uncooked
- 12 ounces cooked sausage I used sundried tomato chicken sausage
- 4 cups fresh spinach torn
- 4 ounces goat cheese crumbled
- 1/2 cup chopped sundried tomatoes in oil
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
-
Cook pasta according to package instructions.
-
Slice sausage to 3/4 inch thick and saute in a small amount of oil or cooking spray to brown.
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Combine cooked noodles, sausage, spinach, goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, and oil.
-
Top with crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.
Alexis AKA MOM says
Oh yummy!! So my favorite combo! When I’m back on carbs so making this!!
Jodi Stuber says
Mmmm yea, this looks amazing.
Krista Low says
This looks so great! I have a jar of sundried tomatoes I have been waiting to use. This is calling my name! As soon as it stops snowing I’ll be off to the store 🙂 Thanks for sharing a great recipe! Krista @ http://ahandfulofeverything.blogspot.com
Krista Rollins says
Wow!!! This sounds amazing, all awesome flavors! Definitely pinning now. 🙂 (fyi- love trader joes)
Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats
nutzaboutstamping.com says
Looks yummy!
Shannon says
Yum this sounds great! I’m right there with you on using the same flavor profile over and over again! haha If it works… why mess with it right?! Thanks for sharing!
The Alchemist says
I love sun dried tomatoes, I think they’re one of my favorite foods. Your pasta looks delicious!
Cynthia Landrie says
What a great combination of flavors! This salad looks so great!
Thank you for linking this party to the In and Out of the Kitchen link party. I can’t wait to see what you bring next week.
Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.com
Kathy Penney says
Stopping by from Chic on a Shoe String. That pasta looks delicious and perfect for spring and summer patio dining! If you get a chance I’d love for you to link it up at All Things Pretty party. http://sparklesandastove.com/all-things-pretty-thursday-1/ Enjoy your weekend! Kathy @ Sparkles and a Stove
Sharon Hodge says
Your pics are gorgeous! I am sure that the pasta is just as gorgeous. I probably shouldn’t look at stuff like this when I’m hungry. It definitely seem like something that I would want to try! Stopping by from Make It Or Fix It Yourself!. Stop in for a visit when you can.
Sharon
http://makeitorfixit.com
TitiCrafty says
Gosh it looks so good!!! and so easy to make!!!
Thanks for the recipe!
Xoxo
Cami
KC Coake says
Oh, yum! That sundried tomato sausage from TJ’s is our favorite sausage. I need to try this with feta rather than goat cheese…think the whole family might really like this for dinner.
I would love if you would share this at my link party. http://www.realcoake.com/2013/03/real-family-fun-7.html
Take care,
KC
Tonia L says
Yum! I love pasta salads!
Linda Bouffard says
This looks wonderful!! Have a great week. Linda
Kathy Shea Mormino, The Chicken Chick says
That recipe looks really good….Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!
Cheers,
Kathy Shea Mormino
The Chicken Chick
http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com
Diana - FreeStyleMama says
Yummy!
Carrie @ My Favorite Finds says
That looks really super good! Thanks for sharing at Pinworthy Projects.
Mums make lists says
This looks so good!
I would love for you to link this up at Empty Your Archive link party – there is a special focus this week on fabulous pasta recipes, Alice @ Mums Make Lists x
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