Description
This Italian Pasta Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish full of fresh vegetables, smoky turkey bacon, and a tangy apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for picnics, quick lunches, or as a colorful side, it’s easy to prepare and packed with bold flavors and satisfying textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups rotini pasta (can be gluten-free)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup kalamata olives, halved
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (natural)
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (natural)
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta for the salad.
- Prepare the Fresh Ingredients: While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, chop fresh basil leaves, and halve the kalamata olives if desired for easier bites.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the smoked turkey bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste for a balanced tangy and savory dressing.
- Combine and Toss: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, fresh vegetables, olives, chopped turkey bacon, and basil. Pour the dressing over everything and toss gently but thoroughly to evenly coat the salad.
Notes
- Cook pasta perfectly to avoid mushiness; it should remain firm.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to blend flavors well.
- Use fresh basil for best aroma and flavor.
- Adjust the vinegar and oil ratio in the dressing to suit your taste.
- Optional: Add toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts for extra texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Italian Pasta Salad, healthy pasta salad, turkey bacon pasta salad, tangy pasta salad, gluten-free pasta salad
