Description
This Pasta Salad with Basil offers a refreshing twist on a classic side dish, featuring fresh veggies, smoky turkey bacon, and a lively apple cider vinegar dressing. Light yet satisfying, it combines aromatic basil with crisp vegetables and zesty dressing, making it perfect for lunch, potlucks, or quick family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 cups cooked short pasta (rotini or penne)
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 4 tbsp olive oil (natural)
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (fresh)
- ¼ tsp salt (natural)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (natural)
- ¼ tsp natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Cook and cool the pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and prevent sticking, creating the perfect base for the dressing and vegetables.
- Prepare the veggies and bacon: While the pasta cools, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, and thinly slice the red onion. Cook the smoked turkey bacon in a non-stick pan until crisp, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the zesty dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and the natural gelling agent until well combined and textured to coat the salad evenly.
- Toss everything together: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, turkey bacon, and fresh basil leaves. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to ensure even flavor distribution.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the basil aroma to infuse the dish before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh basil for the most vibrant flavor.
- Do not overcook pasta to maintain texture.
- Chill the salad to enhance flavor blending.
- Cook turkey bacon until crisp for a smoky crunch.
- Add dressing just before serving to keep veggies crisp.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: pasta salad, basil, smoked turkey bacon, apple cider vinegar dressing, fresh vegetables, healthy salad
