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As the days grow warmer and the sun shines brighter, there's nothing quite like a refreshing salad to lift your spirits and nourish your body. The Chilled Greens & Hearts Pasta Delight is a vibrant dish that beautifully showcases the bounty of fresh produce, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a light yet satisfying meal. This pasta salad not only delights the palate with its medley of flavors but also offers a wealth of health benefits, thanks to its wholesome ingredients. Whether you're planning for a picnic, a potluck, or simply a quick weeknight dinner, this dish is versatile enough to suit any occasion while keeping your culinary experience enjoyable and hassle-free.

Cold Spinach & Artichoke Pasta Salad

Enjoy the vibrant flavors and health benefits of Chilled Greens & Hearts Pasta Delight, the perfect refreshing dish for warm days. This pasta salad combines spiral pasta, fresh greens, tangy artichoke hearts, and briny olives for a satisfying meal that's both visually appealing and nutritious. Ideal for picnics or potlucks, it's easy to prepare ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld as it chills. Experience the joy of a light yet hearty dish that everyone will love!
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Ingredients
  

8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta

2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained and quartered

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced

1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced

1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini or fusilli and cook according to the package directions, typically about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold running water to halt the cooking process. Set aside to cool.

    Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta is cooking, chop the fresh spinach into bite-sized pieces. Quarter the artichoke hearts, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the red bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion. Set all prepared vegetables aside.

      Combine Ingredients: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped spinach, quartered artichoke hearts, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, sliced Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Stir gently to combine the ingredients evenly.

        Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and if desired, the crushed red pepper flakes. Mix until the dressing is thoroughly blended and emulsified.

          Toss the Salad: Drizzle the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Using two large spoons or salad tongs, gently toss everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.

            Chill: Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.

              Serve: Before serving, give the salad a gentle toss to redistribute any dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or pepper as needed. Enjoy your vibrant and refreshing Chilled Greens & Hearts Pasta Delight!

                Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 15 minutes | 45 minutes | 4 servings

                  - Presentation Tips: For a beautiful presentation, serve the pasta salad in a large decorative bowl, garnished with additional basil leaves on top. Drizzle a little extra olive oil around the edge for added flair!