Description

This vibrant Penne Basil Pasta Salad is a refreshing and easy-to-make dish featuring fresh basil, smoky turkey bacon, creamy plant-based cheese, and a tangy apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect as a light lunch, colorful side, or crowd-pleasing dish, it offers a delightful balance of flavor and texture in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

8 oz penne pasta
1 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
6 slices smoky turkey bacon
3/4 cup plant-based cheese, cubed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 medium cucumber, diced

Dressing

3 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (natural)
2 cloves garlic, minced (natural)
1/2 tsp natural gelling agent
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Cook the Penne: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and keep the pasta cool and separated.
Prepare the Vegetables and Bacon: While the pasta cooks, crisp the smoky turkey bacon in a skillet over medium heat, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and roughly chop fresh basil leaves to release their aroma.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar (natural), extra virgin olive oil (natural), minced garlic (natural), salt, pepper, and the natural gelling agent until smooth and emulsified.
Toss Everything Together: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained penne pasta, vegetables, bacon, and plant-based cheese. Pour the dressing over and toss gently until every ingredient is coated evenly.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld beautifully. Give it a gentle stir before plating.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness in the salad.
Use fresh basil leaves for the best herbal flavor and aroma.
Ensure the dressing is light to keep the salad fresh and balanced.
Chilling the salad allows flavors to fully develop and marry.
Use quality extra virgin olive oil (natural) for enhanced richness and depth.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: International

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 490 mg
Fat: 14 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 12 g
Cholesterol: 25 mg

Keywords: penne pasta salad, basil pasta salad, plant-based cheese salad, turkey bacon pasta, easy pasta salad, tangy pasta salad, healthy pasta salad