Description

A light and refreshing Pasta Salad with Basil featuring smoky turkey bacon, fresh basil, creamy plant-based cheese, cherry tomatoes, and crisp cucumber, tossed in a zesty natural dressing. Perfect for lunches, picnics, and light dinners, this easy-to-make dish offers vibrant flavors and balanced textures everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

250g rotini or penne pasta

Vegetables and Herbs

1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, sliced into rounds or chunks

Protein and Cheese

150g smoked turkey bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
100g plant-based cheese, cubed

Dressing

3 tablespoons olive oil (natural)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
1 clove garlic, minced (natural)
1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
Pinch of natural gelling agent

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and keep the pasta firm. Set aside to cool completely before mixing with other ingredients.
Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: In a frying pan over medium heat, cook the smoked turkey bacon until crispy and golden. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil, then chop into bite-sized pieces to add crunch to the salad.
Prepare the Vegetables and Basil: Wash and halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the cucumber into small rounds or chunks, and roughly chop fresh basil leaves to infuse the salad with its aromatic freshness.
Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), minced garlic (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), salt, and black pepper. Add a pinch of natural gelling agent to give the dressing slight thickness for perfect coating on the pasta.
Combine All Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped turkey bacon, vegetables, basil, and cubed plant-based cheese. Pour the dressing over and gently toss everything to coat evenly, taking care not to bruise the basil leaves.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing and zesty meal.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to keep it firm and prevent mushiness when chilled.
Use fresh basil leaves for the best aroma and flavor.
Chill the salad before serving to allow flavors to marry.
Adjust olive oil and vinegar ratio to achieve your preferred dressing tanginess.
Include crunchy elements like smoked turkey bacon for satisfying texture contrast.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: No-cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 280
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 12g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: pasta salad, basil, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon, gluten free, easy salad, refreshing salad, vegetarian option