Description
This Ditalini Pasta Salad is a light and satisfying dish full of fresh vegetables, smoky turkey bacon, and a vibrant apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for entertaining or a wholesome lunch, it combines bright flavors and balanced textures for a refreshing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 cup ditalini pasta
Vegetables
- 1 cup cucumber, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Protein
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked and chopped
Dressing
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (natural)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the ditalini pasta. Cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta for salad preparation.
- Prepare the Vegetables and Bacon: While the pasta cooks, chop cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, and red onion into bite-sized pieces. Cook the smoked turkey bacon in a skillet until crisp, then chop it into small pieces and set aside.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar (natural), olive oil, Dijon mustard (natural), garlic powder (natural), salt, and pepper until well combined and emulsified.
- Combine All Ingredients: In a large serving bowl, mix the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables, turkey bacon, and fresh parsley. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Chill and Serve: For best flavor, let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the dressing to infuse the pasta and vegetables. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the pasta to keep it firm and maintain texture contrast.
- Use fresh, crisp vegetables for the best taste and crunch.
- Chill the salad before serving to let the flavors meld.
- Cook the smoked turkey bacon until crispy to add a satisfying smoky crunch.
- Adjust dressing acidity and seasoning to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Ditalini pasta salad, turkey bacon salad, fresh vegetable pasta, apple cider vinegar dressing, easy pasta salad
