Description
Italian Pasta Salad bursting with fresh flavors and lively textures. Featuring smoky turkey bacon, creamy plant-based cheese, and crunchy vegetables, this vibrant salad is perfect for lunch, dinner sides, or picnics with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups rotini or farfalle pasta
Protein
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
Cheese
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese, cubed or crumbled
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil (natural)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (natural)
- 1/2 tsp natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the rotini or farfalle pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool quickly, preventing mushiness.
- Prepare the Vegetables and Protein: Chop cherry tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, red onion, and fresh basil into bite-sized pieces. Cook and crumble the smoked turkey bacon, then allow it to cool.
- Make the Dressing: Whisk together olive oil (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), garlic powder (natural), fresh basil, and natural gelling agent until smooth and emulsified.
- Combine All Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta, vegetables, smoked turkey bacon, and plant-based cheese. Pour the dressing over and gently stir to coat everything evenly.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the Italian Pasta Salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain salad texture.
- Use fresh vegetables and herbs for best flavor.
- Chill salad before serving for enhanced taste.
- Adjust acidity and saltiness to your preference while mixing.
- Store in an airtight container to keep it fresh up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Italian pasta salad, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon, healthy salad, gluten-free, easy pasta salad, lunch recipe
