Description
This Traditional Greek Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish featuring fresh crisp vegetables, smoky turkey bacon, and creamy plant-based feta cheese. Perfect for a side or main dish, it offers a flavorful, easy-to-make meal full of texture and color that suits any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cucumber, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Protein
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon
Cheese
- 1/2 cup plant-based feta cheese, cubed
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil (natural)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano (natural)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down, helping it hold the dressing better.
- Prepare the Vegetables and Bacon: While the pasta cooks, chop the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and roughly chop the fresh parsley. In a pan over medium heat, cook the smoked turkey bacon until crispy. Once cooked, chop into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. This tangy dressing brings the salad’s flavors together.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, red onion, smoked turkey bacon, and plant-based feta cheese cubes. Drizzle the dressing over everything and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Garnish and Chill: Sprinkle the salad generously with fresh parsley. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
- Drain and rinse pasta under cold water to prevent sticking and keep the salad light.
- Use fresh vegetables for the best taste and texture.
- Cook turkey bacon until crisp to add satisfying crunch and flavor.
- Taste and adjust dressing seasoning before mixing with salad.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavor blend and refreshes the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Greek pasta salad, plant-based feta, turkey bacon salad, healthy pasta salad, gluten free Greek salad
