Description
A quick, colorful, and flavorful Pasta Primavera packed with fresh vegetables and smoked turkey bacon, perfect for busy weeknights. This vibrant, protein-rich dish combines tender pasta with a medley of crisp veggies, savory smoked turkey bacon, and fresh herbs, delivering a light yet satisfying meal that is easily customizable and comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 200g pasta of your choice (linguine, penne, or fusilli)
- 100g smoked turkey bacon, chopped
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Seasoning and Finishing
- 2 tbsp olive oil (natural), divided
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan-style plant-based cheese, freshly grated
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped smoked turkey bacon and cook until crisp and golden brown, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside, leaving the oil in the pan.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add bell peppers, zucchini slices, and cherry tomatoes. Cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender but still vibrant and slightly crisp. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Combine and Season: Return the smoked turkey bacon to the pan with the vegetables. Stir in cooked pasta, drizzle with vegetarian Worcestershire sauce and the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Toss gently to combine all ingredients and heat through.
- Garnish and Serve: Turn off the heat and sprinkle fresh chopped basil and freshly grated Parmesan-style plant-based cheese on top. Give everything one last gentle toss and serve immediately.
Notes
- Avoid overcooking pasta to maintain ideal texture.
- Season sautéed vegetables well with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Add fresh basil at the end for a bright herbal note.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet; cook vegetables in batches if necessary.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Pasta Primavera, smoked turkey bacon, fresh vegetables, quick dinner, healthy pasta, vegetarian option, easy weeknight meal
