Description
This easy BLT Pasta Salad combines smoky turkey bacon, fresh crisp vegetables, and a tangy, creamy dressing (natural) made with plant-based mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar. Perfect for quick summer meals, picnics, or casual dinners, it offers a colorful, flavorful, and satisfying dish in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 6 slices smoked turkey bacon
- 2 cups ditalini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise (plant-based) (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon natural gelling agent
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ditalini pasta and cook until al dente, about 7 to 9 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down for the salad.
- Prepare the Bacon and Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and crisp the smoked turkey bacon slices until golden and crunchy. Once cooled, chop the bacon into bite-size pieces. Chop the romaine lettuce, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and dice the cucumber.
- Make the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the plant-based mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, mustard, natural gelling agent, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste, aiming for a tangy and balanced dressing.
- Toss Everything Together: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, bacon pieces, fresh vegetables, and chopped herbs. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly until everything is evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Cook pasta until al dente to maintain firm texture in the salad.
- Rinse pasta well with cold water to stop cooking and keep the salad refreshing.
- Use smoked turkey bacon for smoky depth without overpowering veggies.
- Toss salad gently to preserve crisp vegetables and pasta shape.
- Chill the salad before serving to enhance the flavor fusion.
- Adjust dressing quantity based on your preference for creaminess and tang.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking method specified
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: BLT pasta salad, turkey bacon salad, summer pasta salad, easy pasta salad, plant-based dressing
