Description
This easy Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant, fresh, and flavorful dish perfect for warm days. Featuring smoky turkey bacon, creamy plant-based cheese, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty dressing with natural gelling agents, it offers a balanced and colorful meal ideal for picnics, barbecues, or a bright addition to your lunch rotation.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 2 cups rotini pasta
- 6 slices smoked turkey bacon
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup plant-based cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (natural)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (natural)
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon natural gelling agent
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta completely.
- Prepare the Smoked Turkey Bacon: While the pasta cooks, crisp up the smoked turkey bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden and slightly crunchy. Transfer to paper towels to drain any excess fat, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Chop the Vegetables and Cheese: Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and cube the plant-based cheese. Add all of these to a large mixing bowl along with the Kalamata olives and fresh basil leaves.
- Make the Zesty Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar (natural), extra virgin olive oil (natural), garlic powder (natural), Dijon mustard (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), the natural gelling agent, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste.
- Toss Everything Together: Add the cooled pasta and crispy smoked turkey bacon to the bowl of veggies and cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is evenly coated and vibrant.
Notes
- Cook pasta just right: Ensure it is al dente for the best texture and to avoid mushiness.
- Cool pasta properly: Rinse with cold water to stop cooking and help the dressing stick better.
- Use fresh herbs: Fresh basil adds a bright aroma that really elevates the salad.
- Chill before serving: Let the salad rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to help flavors meld.
- Adjust seasoning at the end: Taste the salad before serving and add salt or vinegar for extra zing if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: thirty-one g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Italian Pasta Salad, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon, summer salad, pasta salad, fresh herbs, zesty dressing
