Description
This vibrant Spicy Fiesta Pasta Salad combines bold, fresh, and colorful ingredients with a spicy kick and smoky plant-based turkey bacon for a flavorful, easy-to-make dish perfect for potlucks, dinners, and any occasion requiring a delicious, textured salad with customizable heat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 4 strips smoked turkey bacon (plant-based)
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 red onion, finely minced (soaked in cold water if desired)
- 1 jalapeño or fresno chili, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
Dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lime juice, fresh
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (natural)
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin (natural)
- 1/2 tsp natural gelling agent
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta until al dente, usually about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to cool it down and stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- Prepare the Turkey Bacon: While the pasta cooks, heat a pan over medium and cook the smoked turkey bacon until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels, then chop into bite-sized pieces for added smoky crunch.
- Chop Fresh Veggies: Dice the red bell pepper, halve the cherry tomatoes, finely chop the jalapeño, and mince the red onion (after soaking if desired). Roughly chop the cilantro to prepare all ingredients for mixing.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar, garlic powder (natural), ground cumin (natural), natural gelling agent, salt, and pepper until fully combined and emulsified.
- Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, black beans, turkey bacon pieces, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over and gently mix until everything is evenly coated and the flavors meld beautifully.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to help flavors blend better and prevent wilting.
- Adjust seasoning gradually by adding salt, pepper, and spice to suit personal taste.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to deepen flavors.
- Rinse pasta thoroughly after cooking to prevent stickiness and ensure a light texture.
- Add fresh lime juice last to maintain its bright, zesty flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: spicy pasta salad, fiesta pasta salad, plant-based pasta salad, smoky pasta salad, colorful pasta salad, easy pasta salad
