Spring Pasta Salad with Radishes and Arugula

Spring is here – with it comes a spring pasta salad recipe, full of radishes and arugula! Perfect for potlucks and end of winter parties. That’s a thing, right?

After months of brown grass and branches staring at me from the windows, I am thrilled that leaves and flowers are coming back again. I get so excited for spring. Winter in Chicago is months spent holed up, avoiding the cold, wind and snow. Spring arrives and all of Chicago’s inhabitants are reborn and filled with the urge to DO things.

I spent so much time on the computer or messing around in the kitchen the last few months, that I forgot sometimes to have a social life. Then I spent the past few days making up for it a little bit. I went shopping with my sister on Friday and we had lunch on a patio. Al fresco dining is the best thing, ever.

Then on Saturday, Mr. B and I went to a friend’s wedding. I love wedding season – my friend was an absolutely stunning bride. I’m so happy for her and her new husband – true love is such a wonderful thing to witness.

Sunday, we went to my dad’s house for an early dinner/late lunch. My brother and sisters went too – it was so nice to hang out with everyone at one time. It usually only happens on Christmas and that doesn’t really count. Our “excuse” for getting together was to see their new puppy named Dakota and she is adorable.

I am totally in puppy love.

I went out and had “a life” and it felt good. I barely touched my computer and let the laundry pile up. I also barely cooked – ramen does not count. So today’s recipe is a low-cook one I’ve been hanging on to, for a rainy day.

Spring Pasta Salad with Radishes and Arugula

One of my favorite parts of spring is the return of farmer’s markets and spring vegetables. I’ve spoken in length about my love for arugula (in this recipe for a baby arugula and tomato salad and in this bacon and arugula breakfast sandwich.)  It is in season in early spring, along with a variety of other spring lettuces so fits into my spring pasta salad perfectly.

Then there are radishes – I just can’t get enough of them! They are so bright and colorful; it’s such a welcome change from the browns of winter.

I used shallots for this recipe but if you are lucky enough to get your hands on some early spring ramps, substitute them for the shallots. Ramps would really make this pasta salad a myriad of spring tastes.

Also, if you want a creamier salad, you could also substitute regular sour cream or even mayo. Mayo, in my head, cancels out healthy vegetables so that’s why I went with the low-fat sour cream.

Spring Pasta Salad with Radishes and Arugula

Spring is here – with it comes a spring pasta salad recipe, full of radishes and arugula! Perfect for potlucks and end of winter parties. That’s a thing, right?

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Course: Salads

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 275.4kcal

Author: Jenny Bullistron

Ingredients

• ½ cup low fat sour cream
• 2 teaspoons fresh dill
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 shallot finely chopped
• ½ cup chopped cooked bacon approximately 5 strips
• 4 cups cooked pasta noodles
• 1 cup radish slices
• 1 cup baby arugula

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, dill, salt, lemon juice and shallot until well combined.
• In a large bowl, combine the sour cream mixture with the remaining ingredients. Mix well, and refrigerate for 1 hour prior to serving.

Notes

If you can find ramps, substitute the shallot for 1-2 tablespoons finely diced ramps.

Nutrition

Calories: 275.4kcal | Carbohydrates: 38.4g | Protein: 12.5g | Fat: 7.8g | Saturated Fat: 2.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1.9g | Cholesterol: 6.7mg | Sodium: 763.8mg | Potassium: 230.9mg | Fiber: 3.8g | Sugar: 1.9g | Vitamin A: 146.1IU | Vitamin C: 4.6mg | Calcium: 67.4mg | Iron: 0.8mg

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