I love browsing Foodgawker and TasteSpotting for cooking and baking inspiration. The only problem is I usually end up hungry:) Last week I saw Picky Cook's tortellini salad and immediately bookmarked it.
On Sunday I was feeling lazy, but still wanted a tasty meal. This salad popped into my mind. I didn't have the exact ingredients, but that didn't stop me. I just switched things up a bit. I used frozen cheese tortellini and spinach as the base of the salad. I also added in dried cranberries, Granny Smith apple slices, almonds, and feta cheese. I drizzled the salad with balsamic dressing and voila-a masterpiece in minutes.
The dried cranberries and apples gave the salad a nice sweetness. The almonds also added a nice crunch. This salad is very filling because of the tortellini and all of the goodies involved. Enjoy it as a meal or serve a little bit on the side of your favorite fall soup.
Spinach Salad with Tortellini, Dried Cranberries, Apples, Almonds, and Feta
Inspired by Picky Cook
Fresh spinach leaves
Cheese tortellini, cooked, drained, and chilled
Dried cranberries
Granny Smith apple, cut into thin slices
Almonds
Feta cheese
Balsamic dressing
1. Cook the tortellini according to package instructions. I used frozen tortellini. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. Place a bed of spinach on a plate.
3. Add tortellini, dried cranberries, apple slices, almonds, feta cheese, and dressing.
4. Eat and enjoy.
You might also like:
Greek Style Tortellini Salad from RecipeGirl
Pesto Tortellini with Sauteed Vegetables and Parmesan Cheese from For the Love of Cooking
Tortellini Skewers from Dana Treat
You might also like:
Greek Style Tortellini Salad from RecipeGirl
Pesto Tortellini with Sauteed Vegetables and Parmesan Cheese from For the Love of Cooking
Tortellini Skewers from Dana Treat
That looks like my kind of salad ... apples are definitely one of my very favorite salad ingredients, and even better with feta and almonds! : )
ReplyDeleteThis salad looks fantastic! A nice twist on my standard spinach salad. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove it! Always looking for new ways to have salad. It's so pretty!
ReplyDeleteIt does look good. Wish I could find whole wheat tortellini!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely flavors and colors!
ReplyDeleteThis looks likea lovely eal indeed!
ReplyDeleteI'm always looking for new salad ideas! Do you usually dip your apples in lemon juice so they don't turn brown, or don't you worry about it on a salad?
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a great, healthy-yet-satisfying, dinner! I love all of the ingredients!
ReplyDeleteI love it when a salad has that touch of sweetness- and this is a great one-two with the cranberries and apples :) I'm such a sweet tooth aren't I?!
ReplyDeleteAwesome combination of flavors and textures. I will have to try this!
ReplyDeleteOh this has some great flavor combinations in it!
ReplyDeleteYUM! I love putting pasta on salads. This is a great blend of flavors. You make such great dinners.
ReplyDeleteI like the sweetness there for something a little different. Sounds great!
ReplyDeleteNow you have me starving and craving tortellini. Bad. I bet this was really delicious.
ReplyDeleteThis is my kind of salad!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend coming over for lunch and this would be the perfect thing to serve. Thanks for posting it!
ReplyDeletehahaha we did it again - spinach salads on the same day. I love us :) Yours looks delicious - I love the tortellini in there! yummmm
ReplyDeletequick, filling, perfect!
ReplyDeleteMan that looks good, I have everything I need to make it even! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really nice combination of flavors. I'm missing my fresh spinach from the garden!
ReplyDeleteI love tortellini, but I never thought to blend them in a sweet salad this way. Very cool idea.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a delicious salad perfect for fall!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely making this one day soon to bring to work for lunch! Looks so tasty, and I'm always looking for something filling but light enough to not put me in a food coma for the rest of the afternoon!
ReplyDeleteYum and wow!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great healthy meal!I really need have more salads for meals.
ReplyDeleteMaria I have this printed out for a try, too! Glad to hear that it is a good one.
ReplyDelete~ingrid
This would make a perfect lunch for me someday! Love all these ingredients and colors.
ReplyDeleteI love salads like that. I just wish I could make that as a meal for my beef-eating husband.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect Fall salad. I love the flavor combination!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice salad Maria! I love tortellini but I've never though to have them in salad.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous salad! Perfect for fall.
ReplyDeleteLovely salad!
ReplyDeleteA refined saladü I love that idea!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
Yum. A definite for this week. Thanks.
ReplyDeletenow this is my kind of salad--a little bit of everything with some texture.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great. I love putting feta and apples in my salads.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and delicious salad. I can't wait to try this.
ReplyDeleteI made a similar salad a few months ago. Love the combo! So many ways to change it up.
ReplyDeleteit looks absolutely fantastic! great salad!
ReplyDeleteI have been adding pasta to my salads for years but I never thought to add tortellini. This is on my list to try very soon!!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea - meal in a bowl!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique and yummy salad!
ReplyDeleteoh yummy! i bet with that tortellini it was so filling, delicious!
ReplyDeletei've never had tortellini in a cold, green salad--interesting addition, maria!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! It looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteThis is totally something I would love. All the ingredients are yummy on their own.
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious! I can see how all those flavors would meld into perfection together! YUM.
ReplyDeleteI would be lost w/o tastespotting!
ReplyDeleteYummy dish
What a fabulous idea to put pasta in your salad. Definitely makes it more of a meal. It looks so yummy : ) Especially right now since I am hungry :P
ReplyDeleteperfect combo of fall flavors!
ReplyDeleteI love making salads more interesting. This one looks so filling and delicious!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious...I'm making it this weekend!
ReplyDeleteYum, this salad looks so good! Great idea to add the tortellini!
ReplyDeleteHi Maria-
ReplyDeleteWe've met. I'm friends with Suzi and Sean and she told me to check out your blog. My daughter and I have recently created a mother/daughter food blog-the names are actually similar! Check it out when you have time-as time goes on I'd love to pick your brain!!!!
The tortellini make this salad sound so yummy and filling! I love all the ingredients you used!
ReplyDeleteOoo this looks so so good! I love having big salads for a meal and this one looks super tasty and like it would be filling enough for a meal.
ReplyDelete