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Pasta & Walnut Fruit Salad

Pasta & Walnut Fruit Salad recipe image
This unique chilled salad combines tender shell pasta with a medley of fresh fruits and crunchy walnuts. The dressing is a simple blend of plain yogurt and sweet orange juice, creating a light, tangy coating that ties the flavors together. Crisp celery, juicy grapes, and diced apples add wonderful texture and freshness, while mandarin oranges bring a burst of citrus sweetness. It&# 226;ÂÂs a vibrant, vegetarian dish perfect for potlucks, summer picnics, or as a healthy side dish. Serve it on a bed of lettuce for a beautiful presentation that looks as good as it tastes.
Cuisine:
Courses:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 8
Calories: 366.8
Dietary: Vegetarian
Description
This unique chilled salad combines tender shell pasta with a medley of fresh fruits and crunchy walnuts. The dressing is a simple blend of plain yogurt and sweet orange juice, creating a light, tangy coating that ties the flavors together. Crisp celery, juicy grapes, and diced apples add wonderful texture and freshness, while mandarin oranges bring a burst of citrus sweetness. It&# 226;ÂÂs a vibrant, vegetarian dish perfect for potlucks, summer picnics, or as a healthy side dish. Serve it on a bed of lettuce for a beautiful presentation that looks as good as it tastes.
Ingredients
  • 8 ounce Shell macaroni, uncooked
  • 8 ounce Plain lowfat yogurt
  • 1/4 cup Frozen orange juice
  • 15 ounces Canned mandarin oranges, drained
  • 1 cup Red seedless grapes
  • 1 cup Seedless white grapes
  • 1 cup Cored, diced red apple
  • 1/2 cup Celery, sliced
  • 1/2 cup Walnut halves
  • Lettuce, for garnish
  • Fresh strawberries, for garnish
Directions
  1. 1
    Cook shell macaroni according to package directions until al dente.
  2. 2
    Drain pasta and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain well.
  3. 3
    In a small bowl, blend the thawed frozen orange juice concentrate and plain yogurt until smooth.
  4. 4
    In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, mandarin oranges, red and white grapes, diced apple, sliced celery, and walnut halves.
  5. 5
    Pour the yogurt-orange dressing over the mixture and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
  6. 6
    Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill thoroughly.
  7. 7
    To serve, arrange lettuce leaves on a platter and spoon the salad on top. Garnish with fresh strawberries.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8

Amount Per Serving
Calories 366.8kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2.6g4%
Saturated Fat 0.8g4%
Cholesterol 2.0mg1%
Sodium 72.2mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 69.2g24%
Dietary Fiber 3.4g14%
Sugars 17.5g
Protein 19.5g39%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Ensure the frozen orange juice concentrate is fully thawed before blending with the yogurt to avoid lumps.

For best texture, add the walnuts just before serving or chill them separately to maintain their crunch.

To prevent the apples from browning, toss the diced apple with a little lemon juice before adding it to the salad.

This salad can be made up to 4 hours in advance. Store covered in the refrigerator.

If you prefer a sweeter dressing, you can add a teaspoon of honey to the yogurt mixture.

Keywords: pasta salad, fruit salad, yogurt dressing, walnuts, mandarin oranges, grapes, apples, celery, vegetarian, chilled salad, summer recipe, potluck dish, healthy side, orange juice, shell macaroni, refreshing, easy recipe, family friendly, no-bake
Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/pasta-walnut-fruit-salad/