Pine Nuts Pasta Salad is popular, flavorful and easy. Great for a side dish, picnicking and camping. Toasted pine nuts are readily available and this vinaigrette brings it all over the top.
The weather is starting to warm up and my mind is starting to dine al fresco. My mind and I have a lot of fun together. Dreaming up easy meals to eat outside is one of my favorite things to do.
Are you thinking of picnics, swimming, camping, parties, relaxing and playing? Well, this recipe will fit into all of those scenarios. It packs well so it can go on all of your adventures or you can serve it at home as a side dish. I love a great pasta salad, like this one, for my lunch.
And … since we just sold our house and have no idea where we’re going, we need recipes just like this one. Something that is easy and satisfying. Perfect for life on the road in a travel trailer. For a little while anyway.
Whenever we can, we camp in State Parks and National Parks. It is so nice to wake up, step outside and enjoy nature. I try to do all of the cooking outside too. On a grill, a Coleman stove or both. A cast iron skillet works wonderfully over the grill but if I’m boiling water for pasta, then it’s the stove.
Pine Nuts Pasta Salad is going down on this adventure. Maybe more than once. It is simple to make and is also made for easy packability.
I hope you’ll get to serve this to your family and friends. It is comfort food and party food all rolled up as one. Poke your fork into the middle then pull it out for a big bite of flavor.
Pine Nuts Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces small shell pasta
- 3 ounces spinach leaves , 1/2 of a 6 ounce package
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice , about 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup tarragon vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
- 2 ounce sun dried tomatoes , packed in oil
- 3 in scallions , sliced small discs
- 1/4 cup homemade vegan parmesan cheese , optional but it sure is good
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water, add about a tablespoon of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Stir in the shells pasta and return to a boil.
- Cook the until the pasta is al dente, usually 8 to 10 minutes. Follow the box directions for the time.
- Rinse with cold water to cool. Drain and set aside.
- In a separate small bowl add the oil, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper.
- Whisk until well blended.
- Combine the spinach, drained pasta, pine nuts, sun dried tomatoes, scallions and parmesan cheese. Toss.
- Add the dressing, toss and refrigerate.
Notes
Nutrition
Mindy Fewless says
This sure does sound delicious and looks great!
Erin Clarkson says
Simple pasta salads are the best ever! The less dishes, the better too! So very jealous of your camping trip! x
Ginny McMeans says
You’re making me want to be in a national park right now – eating this salad and watching buffalo in Yellowstone 🙂 Where are you Anita?
Anita says
Simple and refreshing salad is best for summer times. And for camping in National Parks too 🙂
Jagruti says
I have decided this salad is going to be my tomorrow’s lunch!
Nayna Kanabar says
This salad looks delicious and perfect for lunch as well as serving at barbecues and garden parties.
Ginny McMeans says
Tarragon vinegar is so fresh tasting. Thanks Hannah!
Ginny McMeans says
I forget about pine nuts Jessica and you are right. They are a wonderful addition. Thanks so much.
Ginny McMeans says
Me too Cathy and thanks 🙂
Hannah Teson says
I love summertime salads like these! I bet the tarragon vinegar just makes it so special too 🙂
Jessica - The Novice Chef says
I love everything about this pasta! Pine nuts are one of my favorites way to spruce up a salad or pasta salad!
Cathy | Lemon Tree Dwelling says
Sun dried tomatoes + pine nuts is one of my favorite combos! I love all the flavors in this pasta!
Ginny McMeans says
Wonderful Megan! Thanks so much 🙂
Ginny McMeans says
Me too Michelle! Love summer and everything that goes along with it. Hope you have a wonderful relaxing summer.
Ginny McMeans says
🙂 Thanks Kimberely! The dressing turned out great!
Ginny McMeans says
Yes, I love them Dorothy! We use to pick them in Pinyon Pines above Coachella Valley Ca. Then you’d toast them and – wow!
Ginny McMeans says
Thanks Krista and that is just what I was thinking. 🙂
Ginny McMeans says
Thanks Katerina! The weather is getting there. 💚
Megan Ancheta | Allergy Free Alaska says
I love pine nuts… and pasta! This sounds like a winning dish to me! Delicious!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
I am so looking forward to summer time, mainly because my schedule will not be so crazy. But I do also enjoy eating outside enjoying the weather. This pasta salad looks delightful and I would love to try it out soon.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
The flavors in this sound awesome – coconut oil, tarragon vinegar, pine nuts…yummy!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Pine nuts are like a little secret arean’t they? They make EVERYTHING better!
Krista says
Wow! What a great salad for memorial day weekend coming up!
Katerina @ Diethood says
Beautiful, delicious, and I wanna dive straight into that bowl!!
And YES to al fresco all the things!! That’s my favorite way to dine. I can’t wait for the summer temps. 😀