Easy Summer Spinach & Tomato Salad: Your Go-To for Quick & Healthy Back-to-School Dinners
Transitioning from relaxed summer days to the hustle and bustle of a new school year can be a challenge, especially when it comes to meal planning. That’s where simple, nutritious recipes like this vibrant Summer Spinach Salad with Fresh Tomatoes become an absolute lifesaver. Packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients, it’s the perfect addition to your weeknight dinner rotation, offering a refreshing, healthy option that requires minimal effort. With just a handful of fresh produce and a light, homemade oil and vinegar dressing, you can effortlessly bring a taste of summer to your table, even as routines shift.
Embracing the Back-to-School Rush with Simple, Wholesome Meals
The rhythm of life undeniably shifts when the school bells ring. In our household, this past week has been a whirlwind of back-to-school preparations. It’s a significant year for my family: my youngest is embarking on the adventure of kindergarten, my daughter is stepping into 7th grade, and my oldest son is officially a high school freshman! It truly feels like just yesterday they were toddlers, and now here we are, navigating three different schools and three very distinct schedules. It’s an exciting time, but undeniably a period of significant adjustment.
With this shift comes the inevitable need for more structured meal planning. During the summer break, our dinner routine is often incredibly laid-back – I usually “wing it” most nights, a spontaneous approach that wouldn’t necessarily be my top recommendation for everyone, but it works for our relaxed summer pace. However, with the new school year firmly in sight, I’m fully immersed in meal planning mode. My focus is squarely on finding simple, appealing dinners that will satisfy everyone at the table – a perennial goal for any busy parent.
Despite the return to school schedules, let’s be honest: it’s still very much summer. And for me, that means it’s still my absolute favorite season for fresh produce. The abundance of ripe, flavorful fruits and vegetables makes healthy eating a joy rather than a chore. This is precisely why a recipe like our Chopped Tomato and Spinach Salad is so perfectly suited for this transitional period – it’s quick, easy, and celebrates the best of summer’s bounty while easing you into a more organized routine.
#FreshSummer 2019 Project: Celebrating Seasonal Produce
This summer, my dear friend Lora from Savoring Italy and I embarked on a delightful journey to celebrate our shared love for seasonal produce through our #FreshSummer project. Each month, we chose a specific theme to inspire our recipes, and for August, the star of the show is undoubtedly tomatoes! It’s the peak of tomato season, and their juicy sweetness is simply irresistible. Today, I’m thrilled to share my super simple Chopped Tomato and Spinach Salad, a versatile dish that beautifully complements grilled chicken, fresh fish, or any other summer main course. Meanwhile, Lora has crafted an equally tempting recipe for her Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce, a vibrant and delicious dish that truly makes my mouth water just thinking about it.
If you missed our previous #FreshSummer collaborations, you can still catch up on the deliciousness! For the month of June, we focused on refreshing cucumbers. Be sure to check out my crisp Cucumber Avocado Salad and Lora’s delightful Sweet Summer Corn and Cucumber Salad. In July, we turned our attention to the quintessential summer fruit: watermelon. Lora surprised us with her unique Asian Watermelon Salad, and I shared my daughter’s new obsession, this refreshing Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil. Each month brought new inspiration and celebrated the incredible flavors of the season.
We absolutely love seeing your culinary creations! If you whip up any tomato-inspired recipe this month, please be sure to tag us on Instagram using #FreshSummer. Follow us @aggieskitchen and @savoringitaly to stay updated with our stories, recipe ideas, and what delicious dishes we’re cooking up next!
Don’t forget! If you make this simple tomato salad recipe, or any of my other favorite summer side dish recipes, we’d love for you to tag me on Instagram @aggieskitchen. Use both #aggieskitchen and #freshsummer so we can find and share your beautiful creations!
The Art of Simplicity: Crafting a Refreshing Spinach Salad
My fondness for spinach salads runs deep, and their incredible ease of preparation is a huge part of their appeal. Thanks to readily available pre-washed packaged salad greens, the foundational step of washing and prepping is already done for you, making assembly a breeze. For this particular salad, I lean into my absolute favorite combination of flavors and textures: ripe, juicy tomatoes, thinly sliced onion for a subtle bite, and briny Kalamata olives to add a delightful punch. That’s truly all it takes – simplicity at its best, yielding a surprisingly complex and satisfying result.
When it comes to a straightforward salad like this, I firmly believe that a simple oil and vinegar dressing is all you need to let the natural flavors of the produce shine. My go-to method involves whisking together a couple of tablespoons of good quality balsamic vinegar with an equal amount of extra virgin olive oil in a small jelly jar. A pinch of salt and a grind of fresh black pepper, a quick shake, and you have a perfectly balanced vinaigrette. While I often eyeball my measurements, aiming for equal parts vinegar and oil provides a lovely tang without being overpowering. If you prefer a milder dressing, simply add a touch more olive oil to mellow the acidity. A light drizzle over your salad for two transforms these simple ingredients into a light, refreshing, and incredibly satisfying meal that you’ll feel great about eating.
This Chopped Tomato and Spinach Salad isn’t just about ease; it’s also a powerhouse of nutrition. Fresh baby spinach is rich in vitamins K, A, and C, as well as folate and iron, supporting bone health, vision, and energy. Ripe tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant known for its health benefits, along with Vitamin C and potassium. Kalamata olives contribute healthy monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, while onions offer a host of beneficial compounds. Even the optional addition of chickpeas elevates this salad, providing plant-based protein and fiber, making it a more substantial and satisfying meal.
Beyond the Recipe: The Value of Simple Meal Ideas
I completely understand that a recipe for something as seemingly basic as this Chopped Tomato and Spinach Salad might appear almost too simple to share. However, through countless conversations with friends and my own personal experience, I’ve come to realize that what we often truly need isn’t just complex, innovative recipes, but rather straightforward, actionable IDEAS. We’re all constantly on the lookout for fresh inspiration, particularly when it comes to healthy eating and finding enjoyable ways to incorporate more vegetables into our daily diets.
This salad serves as a fantastic blueprint. It demonstrates how readily available ingredients, combined with minimal effort, can produce a delicious and highly customizable meal. It’s an idea that can be adapted based on what you have in your fridge or what’s in season. Thinking of adding some grilled corn, crumbled feta, or toasted nuts? Go for it! This flexibility is key to consistent healthy eating, especially during busy periods. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by elaborate cooking instructions, focusing on simple combinations that work allows us to consistently put wholesome food on the table.
Moreover, embracing simple salad recipes like this one encourages a greater appreciation for the quality of individual ingredients. When there are only a few components, each one truly has to shine. This leads to seeking out the freshest, ripest tomatoes, the crispest spinach, and the best quality olive oil. This mindful approach to ingredient selection not only enhances flavor but also deepens our connection to the food we eat and the seasons that guide our choices.
More Refreshing Summer Salads for Your Table
If you’re looking to explore more delicious and easy salad ideas for summer, here are a couple of my favorites that you’ll surely enjoy:
- Spinach Strawberry and Walnut Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette: A delightful blend of sweet and savory, perfect for a light lunch or elegant side.
- Three Bean Salad with Vidalia Onion: A classic, hearty salad that’s great for picnics and potlucks, packed with protein and fiber.
Incorporating salads into your meal plan is a fantastic way to boost your daily vegetable intake, and these simple ideas prove that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or throwing together a last-minute dinner, these salads are versatile, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. Enjoy the simplicity and the wonderful flavors of fresh, seasonal produce!
Chopped Tomato and Spinach Salad Recipe
Author: Aggie Goodman
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 2–4 servings 1x
Category: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean, American
This incredibly simple Summer Spinach Salad with Tomato is a perfect solution for busy weeknights, especially during the back-to-school season. Combining fresh spinach, ripe tomatoes, savory Kalamata olives, and a light oil and vinegar dressing, it’s a nutritious and refreshing meal that comes together in minutes. Ideal as a light dinner, a satisfying side, or a healthy addition to any meal plan.
Ingredients
- 5 ripe plum tomatoes, or a mix of cherry/grape tomatoes, chopped
- 1 medium sweet or Vidalia onion, finely chopped (red onion also works well for a sharper flavor)
- A generous handful of pitted Kalamata olives, roughly chopped (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup)
- 5–6 cups of fresh baby spinach leaves, pre-washed for convenience
- 2 – 3 tablespoons high-quality balsamic vinegar
- 2 – 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed (optional, for added protein and fiber)
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh baby spinach leaves, chopped tomatoes, chopped onion, and chopped Kalamata olives. If using, add the drained and rinsed chickpeas.
- To prepare the simple vinaigrette, pour the balsamic vinegar and olive oil into a small bowl or a lidded jelly jar. Season generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk vigorously or shake well until the dressing is emulsified.
- Drizzle the desired amount of vinaigrette over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to ensure all components are lightly coated. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- **Dressing Customization:** The ratio of vinegar to olive oil can be adjusted to your preference. For a tangier dressing, use equal parts. If you prefer a milder flavor, slightly increase the amount of olive oil. Feel free to add a pinch of dried oregano or a tiny bit of Dijon mustard to the dressing for an extra layer of flavor.
- **Yield:** This recipe makes approximately 2 generous main course salads or 3-4 smaller side salads, perfect for sharing or meal prepping.
- **Add-ins & Variations:**
- **Protein Boost:** Add grilled chicken, canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, or crumbled feta cheese for a more substantial meal.
- **Extra Crunch:** Toasted pine nuts, sunflower seeds, or croutons make a great addition.
- **Herbaceous Notes:** Fresh basil, parsley, or dill chopped and added to the salad will enhance the freshness.
- **Cheese Pairing:** Crumbled goat cheese or shaved Parmesan would also be delicious.
- **Meal Prep Tip:** To enjoy this salad throughout the week, store the dressing separately and only dress the portion you’re about to eat to prevent the spinach from wilting.