Classic Sicilian flavors on a bed of fresh spinach, drizzled with fresh basil vinaigrette. This sun dried tomato spinach salad is a deliciously flavorful combination that makes the perfect addition to any meal!

Back in college, before the low carb craze, I developed an entire relationship over baskets and baskets of bread. Let me explain. Sometime early sophomore year, I met my college best friend, Erin. And she quickly became my partner in crime… at an Italian restaurant called Louise’s!

We would ride the city bus from Marquette’s campus to Louise’s, where we would sit for hours, enjoying baskets and baskets of bread and talking about life and love interests and friendship and the future.

And it was there that I first fell in love with this salad. A simple combination of spinach, goat cheese, pine nuts, and sun dried tomatoes, this salad has it ALL. It’s crunchy and creamy and perfectly savory… and makes an amazing addition to any meal!

It’s completely delicious all on its own OR with any of your favorite proteins. From chicken to shrimp to salmon to chickpeas… the flavors in this salad would pair well with so many different additions.

what you’ll need for this recipe

Spinach – One small container (mine was 5 ounces) fresh baby spinach. Substitute spring mix or a 50/50 mix if you prefer.

Goat cheese – 4 ounces goat cheese. I used a goat cheese log for extra creamy flavor and texture, but feel free to use pre-crumbled goat cheese. You can also substitute shaved Parmesan, feta, or any of your favorites.

Sun dried tomatoes – Sun dried tomatoes add so much delicious flavor and a nice chewy texture to this salad. I used julienne cut sun dried tomatoes in olive oil.

Pine nuts – Pine nuts are the perfect lightly crunchy, flavorful addition to this salad. Substitute walnuts, cashews, or pistachios.

Vinaigrette – Homemade basil vinaigrette is easy to make and adds a deliciously fresh herbal flavor to this salad. Use any type of vinaigrette OR drizzle the oil from the sun dried tomatoes and add salt & pepper!

how to make this sicilian spinach salad

This salad literally couldn’t be easier to make:

Add the spinach to a salad bowl
Top with goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes and pine nuts
Drizzle with vinaigrette

add a protein!

This salad is the perfect base for any of your favorite proteins, from Pan Fried Chicken to Baked Salmon to Blackened Shrimp. It would also be delicious topped with my Mini Crab Cakes, Garlic Butter Steak Bites or Garlic Butter Baked Tilapia!

Recipe Variations

Substitute spring mix, arugula or any other greens
Add additional veggies, such as mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers
Substitute walnuts, pecans or pistachios for the pine nuts
Substitute crumbled feta or shaved Parmesan for the goat cheese
Use any type of homemade or store bought vinaigrette
Add drained chickpeas or white beans
Reserve the sun dried tomato oil to use as a dressing, along with salt & pepper
Add homemade croutons or parmesan crisps
Add any of your favorite proteins (check our my favorites above!)

More Recipes Using Sun Dried Tomatoes

Looking for more delicious ways to use sun dried tomatoes? These are some of our favorites!