La Madeleine Pasta Salad Recipe
Making La Madeleine’s pasta salad is quick and easy.
How did I first get introduced to the La Madeleine Pasta Salad?
I first visited La Madeleine cafe many years ago and was instantly captivated by the delicious dishes that were being served. Since then, I have been eager to try new recipes from their menu. The La Madeleine pasta salad stood out to me because it was light yet packed with flavor.
How to make La Madeleine Pasta Salad?
Making La Madeleine’s pasta salad is quick and easy. It requires simple ingredients. Follow the below steps to make your own.
- 1/2 Clove Garlic: Garlic adds a pungent and savory flavor to the pesto, enhancing the overall taste.
- 1/8 tsp Sea Salt: Sea salt is a seasoning agent that helps bring out the flavors of the other ingredients in the pesto, providing a balanced taste.
- 2 tbsp Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan cheese adds a salty and nutty flavor, contributing to the richness of the pesto.
- 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice: Lemon juice provides acidity, brightening the flavors of the pesto and adding a fresh, citrusy note.
- 1 cup Fresh Basil Leaves: Basil is the main herb in the pesto, lending a fresh and aromatic quality to the sauce.
- 2 tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil adds richness and a smooth texture to the pesto, creating a cohesive and flavorful sauce.
- 1/4 cup Toasted Pine Nuts: Pine nuts contribute a buttery and slightly sweet flavor, as well as a crunchy texture, enhancing the overall profile of the pesto.
- 1/16 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Black pepper adds a subtle heat and depth to the pesto, complementing the other flavors
- 8 Ounces Bow Tie Pasta: Bow tie pasta is a classic choice for pasta salads, providing a fun and visually appealing shape that holds the dressing well.
- Salt To Taste: Salt is used to season the pasta during cooking, ensuring that the entire dish is well-seasoned.
- 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Spinach: Fresh spinach adds a vibrant color and a mild, earthy flavor to the pasta salad, providing a nutritional boost.
- 1/4 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Chopped: Sun-dried tomatoes contribute a sweet and concentrated tomato flavor, as well as a chewy texture, enhancing the overall taste and texture of the salad.
- 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Basil: Fresh basil adds a burst of herbaceous freshness to the salad, complementing the flavors of the pesto.
- 1/4 cup Roma Tomatoes, Diced: Diced Roma tomatoes add juiciness and a mild, sweet taste to the pasta salad.
- 2 tbsp Parmesan Cheese: Additional Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top adds extra richness and a savory kick.
- 2 tbsp Basil Pesto: The pesto is used as a flavorful dressing, bringing a combination of garlic, basil, and nutty flavors to the pasta salad.
- 2 tbsp Creamy Caesar Dressing: Creamy Caesar dressing adds a rich and tangy element, contributing to the creaminess and overall flavor profile of the pasta salad.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add the bow tie pasta, stirring occasionally until al dente (about 9 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- Add garlic, sea salt, freshly grated parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice and basil leaves in a blender or food processor. Pulse until combined.
- With the blender running, slowly add in the extra-virgin olive oil and toasted pine nuts (or other nuts of your choice). Blend until desired consistency is reached.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chopped spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, diced Roma tomatoes and Basil Pesto.
- Add in the grated parmesan cheese and creamy caesar dressing. Mix until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Serve with an extra drizzle of olive oil and freshly ground black pepper.
- • If you don’t have fresh basil leaves, you can use dried basil or even spinach instead.
- • You can also use different types of pasta such as penne, farfalle or rotini if you’d rather not use bow tie noodles.
- • For a vegetarian version, omit the parmesan cheese or use a vegan alternative.
- • If you don’t have pine nuts on hand, walnuts or almonds can be used as an alternative.
- • You can add other vegetables such as bell peppers, red onion, zucchini or eggplant to make this dish more colourful and nutritious.
- • For an extra kick of flavour, add red pepper flakes or a few dashes of your favourite hot sauce.
- • This dish tastes best when served at room temperature.
Servings 2
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 479kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 14.9g23%
- Saturated Fat 4.4g23%
- Cholesterol 110mg37%
- Sodium 448mg19%
- Potassium 268mg8%
- Total Carbohydrate 69.4g24%
- Sugars 2.6g
- Protein 18.5g37%
- Calcium 166 mg
- Iron 5 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
• If you don’t have fresh basil leaves, you can use dried basil or even spinach instead.
• You can also use different types of pasta such as penne, farfalle or rotini if you’d rather not use bow tie noodles.
• For a vegetarian version, omit the parmesan cheese or use a vegan alternative.
• If you don’t have pine nuts on hand, walnuts or almonds can be used as an alternative.
• You can add other vegetables such as bell peppers, red onion, zucchini or eggplant to make this dish more colourful and nutritious.
• For an extra kick of flavour, add red pepper flakes or a few dashes of your favourite hot sauce.
• This dish tastes best when served at room temperature.
Wrapping Up
La Madeleine Pasta Salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. It’s packed with flavour and nutrition, making it a great addition to any meal. With its fresh vegetables, parmesan cheese, olives and creamy dressing, it’s sure to be the star of your next dinner.
I hope you find this recipe helpful. You can also change it up by adding your preferred vegetables and seasonings. So, give this recipe for La Madeleine Pasta Salad a try if you’re searching for a unique dish that will certainly amaze you. Share this recipe with your friends and family.
