Lean Spinach & Pasta Salad
5 min prep10 min cookEasy

Lean Spinach & Pasta Salad

A massive bowl of baby spinach, whole-wheat penne, cherry tomatoes, and creamy cottage cheese topped with crunchy cashews — only 295 calories

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A towering bed of fresh baby spinach leaves tossed with al dente whole-wheat penne, halved cherry tomatoes, and generous spoonfuls of seasoned fat-free cottage cheese that doubles as both a creamy dressing and the primary protein source. Finished with a scattering of roughly chopped raw cashews for nutty crunch in every bite. 295 calories, 28g of protein, and only 6g of fat.

📊Nutrition

Per serving

0kcalCalories
0gProtein
0gFats
0gCarbs

🧾Ingredients

0/6

Salad Base & Veggies

  • 80-100gFresh baby spinachTwo massive handfuls — doubling the greens creates a visually huge bowl for almost zero calories
  • 80gCherry tomatoes, halved

Smart Carbs

  • 30gDry whole-wheat penne or macaroniYields about a handful cooked — scattered throughout the spinach for satisfying bites without a carb overload

Creamy Protein

  • 150gFat-free cottage cheeseActs as both a thick, creamy dressing and the primary protein source — massive protein for very few calories
  • to tasteSea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder

Crunch

  • 10gRaw cashews, roughly choppedJust 10g chopped and sprinkled over the top delivers nutty crunch in every bite without blowing the fat budget

👨‍🍳Method

1

Cook the Pasta

10 min

Boil a small pot of lightly salted water. Cook your 30g of whole-wheat macaroni according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down for the salad.

💡Rinsing with cold water also removes excess surface starch, keeping the pasta from clumping in the salad.
2

Season the "Dressing"

1 min

Place your fat-free cottage cheese in a small bowl. Season it generously with sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Stir well.

💡Keeping the cottage cheese curds intact matches the classic presentation, but you can quickly blend it for a smoother dressing if you prefer.
3

Build the Base

1 min

In a large, wide serving bowl, pile your fresh baby spinach high. The massive green bed creates visual volume that makes the meal feel enormous.

4

Toss and Assemble

2 min

Add the cooled, cooked macaroni and the halved cherry tomatoes to the spinach. Spoon your seasoned cottage cheese over the top and gently toss everything together until the spinach and pasta are coated in the creamy cheese.

5

Garnish and Serve

1 min

Sprinkle your chopped cashews evenly over the top of the bowl. Enjoy immediately for a fresh, creamy, and crunchy meal!

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