Description
Garden Tortellini Pasta Salad is a vibrant and fresh dish that combines tender cheese-filled tortellini pasta, crisp garden vegetables, and smoky turkey bacon with creamy plant-based cheese and a zesty natural dressing. Perfect for lunch, picnics, or light dinners, it offers a colorful, nutritious, and flavorful meal ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 250g fresh or store-bought cheese-filled tortellini pasta
- 100g smoked turkey bacon slices
Vegetables
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small red onion, finely sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Cheese
- 100g plant-based cheese, cubed or crumbled
Dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the tortellini: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tortellini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool.
- Cook the smoked turkey bacon: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the turkey bacon slices until they are crispy and golden. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Chop the vegetables: Rinse and dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, chop the red bell pepper into small pieces, and finely slice the red onion. Place all chopped veggies into a large mixing bowl.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), garlic powder (natural), salt, and pepper until well combined and emulsified.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooled tortellini, chopped turkey bacon, chopped vegetables, plant-based cheese, and fresh basil leaves into the large bowl. Pour the dressing over and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Chill and serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, toss again and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
- Cook tortellini until just al dente to maintain a tender yet firm texture.
- Chop all vegetables uniformly for balanced flavor and pleasant texture.
- Use fresh basil to elevate and brighten the salad’s flavors.
- Dress the salad just before serving to keep it crisp and avoid sogginess.
- Let the salad chill to allow flavors to develop fully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling, Pan-frying
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: tortellini salad, pasta salad, garden salad, plant-based cheese, turkey bacon salad, fresh vegetable salad, quick pasta salad
