Description
Greek Pasta Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish combining crisp cucumbers, ripe cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, creamy plant-based feta, and smoky turkey bacon for an easy, flavorful meal perfect for any occasion. This colorful salad offers a balance of textures and tangy dressing, making it a versatile option for sides, mains, or casual lunches.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 2 cups rotini or penne pasta
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped
- 1 cup plant-based feta, crumbled
Vegetables
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (natural)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (natural)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon natural gelling agent
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to cool it and stop the cooking process.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil (natural), lemon juice (natural), apple cider vinegar (natural), minced garlic (natural), dried oregano (natural), natural gelling agent, salt, and black pepper until slightly thickened and well combined.
- Chop Veggies and Bacon: Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, chop the smoked turkey bacon, and pit and halve the Kalamata olives if necessary.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables, bacon, Kalamata olives, and crumbled plant-based feta. Pour the dressing over the salad and fold lightly until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature for optimal taste and texture.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness in the salad.
- Chill the salad before serving to enhance flavor blending.
- Adjust the dressing’s acidity by varying lemon juice or apple cider vinegar (natural) to taste.
- Use fresh, crisp vegetables for the best texture and color.
- Toss the salad gently to keep plant-based feta and olives intact.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Greek pasta salad, plant-based feta salad, smoked turkey bacon salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, fresh pasta salad
