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Spring Pasta Salad With Protein

Spring Pasta Salad With Protein That Shines With Fresh Flavor

This Spring Pasta Salad With Protein is a vibrant dish combining fresh herbs, nutritious vegetables, and high-protein ingredients, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil For sautéing the protein
  • 12 ounces Organic Pork or Chicken Sausage Can substitute with ground chicken or turkey
  • 1 medium Onion Finely diced
  • 8 ounces Pasta (Mafalda, Bow Tie, or Penne) Gluten-free if desired
  • 2 cups Spinach Finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Basil Chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 cup Frozen Peas Can swap with other veggies if desired
  • 1 each Lemon (juice and zest) For flavor
For the Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Pesto Store-bought or homemade
  • 1/2 cup Chicken Bone Broth Or any broth
  • 1/4 cup Milk (Cashew or Regular) For creaminess
  • 2 tablespoons Ghee Can use regular butter or oil instead
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Optional for a dairy-free variant
For Garnish
  • 1/4 cup Chives Chopped
  • to taste Fresh Cracked Pepper & Sea Salt For seasoning
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Dill Chopped for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Large pot
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add 12 ounces of organic pork or chicken sausage, cooking for about 8–10 minutes until browned and cooked through. Season with sea salt and pepper and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, sauté the finely diced medium onion over medium heat for about 5 minutes until translucent. Add to the cooked protein.
  3. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook 8 ounces of pasta according to package instructions until al dente, around 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  4. In the skillet, sauté 2 minced garlic cloves for 1–2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup of pesto, 1/2 cup of chicken bone broth, 1/4 cup of milk, and 2 tablespoons of ghee. Simmer for about 3–5 minutes until thickened.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta, skillet mixture, 1 cup of frozen peas, juice and zest of 1 lemon, 2 cups of finely chopped spinach, cooked protein and onion mixture, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan (if using), 1 tablespoon of fresh chives, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss well.
  6. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl and garnish with freshly chopped dill and additional grated Parmesan. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 8gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2000IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This salad can be served warm or cold. Allowing it to chill enhances the flavors.

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