Description
Penne Basil Pasta Salad is a fresh, flavorful, and easy-to-prepare dish featuring penne pasta tossed with aromatic basil dressing, smoked turkey bacon, cherry tomatoes, plant-based cheese, and red onion. This versatile salad is perfect for a light lunch, dinner, or picnic, delivering a balanced combination of protein, veggies, and complex carbohydrates in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Proteins
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon
- 1 cup plant-based cheese cubes
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic (natural)
Dressing & Seasoning
- 1/4 cup olive oil (natural)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Penne Pasta: Boil the penne pasta in salted water until al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and keep the pasta firm for the salad.
- Prepare the Smoked Turkey Bacon: Cook the smoked turkey bacon in a hot skillet until crisp and golden brown. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces for a smoky, chewy element in the salad.
- Make the Basil Dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, garlic (natural), olive oil (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and bright green to coat the pasta beautifully.
- Combine and Toss: In a large bowl, gently mix the cooked penne pasta, smoked turkey bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and plant-based cheese cubes. Pour the basil dressing over everything and toss until evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld perfectly, elevating the freshness and depth before serving.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain the perfect bite after chilling.
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor and aroma.
- Add dressing gradually to keep the salad light and balanced.
- Chill the salad before serving to enhance flavors.
- Cut ingredients uniformly for consistent flavor and texture in every bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Penne Basil Pasta Salad, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon substitution, fresh basil salad, easy pasta salad
