Description
This Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad delivers a fresh and vibrant blend of smoked turkey slices, plant-based cheese cubes, and colorful vegetables tossed in a zesty natural dressing. Perfect for quick lunches, festive gatherings, or as a light meal, it combines smoky, tangy, and fresh flavors with nutritious and wholesome ingredients for a satisfying and colorful dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Cheese
- 200g smoked turkey slices, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 150g plant-based cheese, cubed
Pasta
- 250g rotini pasta
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted if needed
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
Natural Dressing
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool for the salad.
- Prepare the Veggies and Protein: Slice smoked turkey into bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, dice the red bell pepper. Chop the basil leaves roughly and pit the Kalamata olives if needed.
- Make the Natural Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), minced garlic, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined.
- Toss Everything Together: In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, turkey pieces, plant-based cheese cubes, and all the prepared vegetables. Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently but thoroughly to coat.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Give a gentle toss before serving.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente for ideal texture and to avoid mushiness.
- Chill the salad before serving to meld flavors and enhance freshness.
- Use fresh, crisp, and colorful vegetables for best taste and appearance.
- Toss gently to prevent breaking pasta or mashing ingredients.
- Add dressing just before serving to keep salad fresh and prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking or Baking required
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad, plant-based cheese salad, smoked turkey pasta salad, vibrant pasta salad, healthy Italian salad
