Description
A vibrant and refreshing Spaghetti Salad combining al dente spaghetti with crisp vegetables, smoky turkey bacon, kalamata olives, and a tangy apple cider vinegar dressing (natural). Perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or light meals, this colorful salad is easy to prepare and full of delightful flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti pasta, cooked al dente
- 1 cup fresh cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, whole or sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Protein
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
Dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil (natural)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar dressing (natural)
- Pinch of salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp natural gelling agent (optional)
Toppings
- 2 tbsp grated plant-based cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta for the salad.
- Prepare the Fresh Veggies: While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the bell peppers and red onion. Roughly chop the parsley. Keep the kalamata olives whole or slice them based on your preference.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: In a pan over medium heat, cook the smoked turkey bacon until crispy. Remove from heat, drain on paper towels, and chop into bite-sized pieces to distribute evenly in the salad.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil (natural), apple cider vinegar dressing (natural), a pinch of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and the optional natural gelling agent for thicker texture. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Toss Everything Together: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled spaghetti, prepared fresh vegetables, smoked turkey bacon, olives, and parsley. Pour the dressing over all ingredients and toss gently until everything is well coated and vibrant.
Notes
- Cook pasta slightly firm to best hold up chilled in the salad.
- Use fresh, crisp vegetables for delightful texture contrast.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to meld flavors.
- Prepare the salad a day in advance for enhanced flavor blending.
- Add crunchy toppings like toasted nuts or seeds for extra texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: spaghetti salad, summer salad, smoked turkey bacon, fresh vegetables, chilled pasta, picnic recipe
