Description
Enjoy a bright and flavorful BLT Pasta Salad featuring crispy smoked turkey bacon, vibrant fresh vegetables, and a creamy plant-based dressing. Ready in under 30 minutes, this salad offers fresh crunch, rich creaminess, and versatility, making it a perfect addition to your summer meals and a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 6 slices smoked turkey bacon
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sweet corn kernels
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Dressing
- 1/2 cup plant-based mayonnaise (natural)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp maple syrup (natural)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (natural)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta for the salad.
- Prepare the Bacon: While the pasta cooks, crisp the smoked turkey bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crunchy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Chop the Veggies: Halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, chop the romaine lettuce into small pieces, measure the corn kernels, and roughly chop fresh parsley.
- Make the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the plant-based mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the cooled pasta, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and dressing until evenly coated. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for color and freshness.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and enhance every bite.
Notes
- Avoid overcooking the pasta to maintain a firm texture and prevent mushiness.
- Add lettuce just before serving to keep it crisp and fresh.
- Adjust the amount of apple cider vinegar and maple syrup in the dressing to suit your preferred tang to sweet balance.
- Cook the bacon until very crispy to ensure it remains crunchy in the salad.
- Toss the salad gently to preserve the texture of the pasta and vegetables without crushing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: BLT pasta salad, summer salad, plant-based dressing, turkey bacon salad, quick pasta salad
