Description

This Southwest Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful lunch option combining fresh vegetables, smoky turkey bacon, and creamy plant-based cheese with a zesty dressing. It’s easy to prepare, customizable, and perfect for meal prep, delivering a lively meal with delightful textures and bold Southwest-inspired flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Base Ingredients

2 cups rotini pasta
1 cup fresh corn kernels
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
1 red bell pepper, finely diced

Protein and Cheese

6 slices turkey bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
1/2 cup plant-based shredded cheese

Fresh Herbs and Aromatics

3 scallions, sliced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro (natural), chopped

Dressing

1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta in salted water until just tender (al dente). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
Prepare the Veggies and Turkey Bacon: While the pasta cooks, finely dice the red bell pepper and halve the cherry tomatoes. Cook the turkey bacon in a pan until crispy, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Drain and rinse the black beans.
Make the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), minced garlic, ground cumin, and smoked paprika until smooth and well combined.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled pasta with corn, tomatoes, red bell pepper, black beans, turkey bacon, scallions, cilantro (natural), and plant-based shredded cheese. Pour the dressing over the mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving cold or at room temperature.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushiness and rinse to stop cooking.
Use fresh corn and ripe tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.
Ensure pasta and bacon are cooled before adding dressing to maintain freshness.
Refrigerate the salad to help flavors blend and deepen before serving.
Adjust seasoning with salt, lime, or spices right before serving for optimal taste.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Boiling
Cuisine: Southwest American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 12g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: Southwest pasta salad, plant-based cheese, turkey bacon, gluten free salad, zesty dressing, meal prep salad