Description

California Pasta Salad is a refreshing and colorful dish bursting with flavor, featuring fresh vegetables, smoky turkey bacon, and creamy plant-based cheese. This light yet filling salad offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes, perfect for simple lunches or crowd-pleasing sides. Easy to prepare and highly versatile, it brings a vibrant touch to any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Protein

2 cups rotini pasta
4 slices smoked turkey bacon
1 cup plant-based cheese, cubed

Vegetables

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, chopped
1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Dressing

3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
4 tablespoons olive oil (natural)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (natural)
1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water immediately to stop cooking and cool it down.
Prepare the vegetables and bacon: While the pasta cooks, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. Cook the smoked turkey bacon in a skillet until crisp, then chop into small strips or crumbles.
Combine the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar (natural), olive oil (natural), garlic powder (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Mix everything together: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, bacon pieces, and plant-based cheese cubes. Pour the dressing over and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves on top.
Chill and serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Notes

Cook pasta slightly under al dente to maintain firmness.
Use fresh, crisp vegetables for best texture.
Chill the salad to blend flavors well before serving.
Toast turkey bacon carefully to avoid burning and maintain crispness.
Toss salad gently to keep veggies and cheese intact.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Boiling, sautéing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 280
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 520mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 12g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: California pasta salad, plant-based cheese salad, turkey bacon pasta salad, fresh veggie pasta salad, light lunch salad