Description
This Spaghetti Salad is a refreshing, colorful, and flavorful dish perfect for any meal. It combines al dente spaghetti with fresh bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, smoked turkey bacon, plant-based cheese, and fresh parsley, all tossed in a zesty natural dressing made with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and herbs. Simple to prepare and highly customizable, this versatile salad works well as a light lunch, BBQ side, or potluck favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 8 ounces spaghetti, cooked al dente
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 cup fresh bell peppers, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Protein & Cheese
- 4 strips smoked turkey bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese, cubed or crumbled
Dressing (natural)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking.
- Prepare Fresh Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, chop bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion into bite-sized pieces. Roughly chop fresh parsley and set aside.
- Cook Smoked Turkey Bacon: In a non-stick pan, cook the smoked turkey bacon until crispy. Remove and place on paper towels to drain excess oil, then chop into small pieces.
- Make the Dressing (natural): In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and the natural gelling agent until emulsified and well combined.
- Combine and Toss: In a large bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti, fresh vegetables, smoked turkey bacon, and plant-based cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and textures to set.
Notes
- Cook pasta until just al dente to maintain texture in the salad.
- Rinse spaghetti with cold water after cooking to prevent sticking and retain freshness.
- Chop all ingredients into uniform pieces for a balanced bite.
- Use fresh, seasonal ingredients for the best flavor and color.
- Add dressing gradually to avoid overpowering the natural flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: spaghetti salad, fresh vegetable salad, smoked turkey bacon salad, plant-based cheese, natural dressing, healthy pasta salad, summer salad, easy lunch
