Description
This easy Chicken Club Pasta Salad combines smoky turkey bacon, creamy plant-based cheese, and fresh vegetables for a vibrant, quick, and satisfying meal. Perfect for lunches, picnics, or casual dinners, it offers a fresh and flavorful taste with simple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 8 oz fusilli or rotini pasta
- 6 slices smoked turkey bacon
Vegetables and Fresh Ingredients
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 1/2 cups romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Dressing
- 1/2 cup plant-based mayonnaise (natural)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Additional
- 1/2 cup plant-based creamy cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the fusilli or rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool completely before mixing.
- Prepare the Smoked Turkey Bacon: While the pasta cooks, crisp the smoked turkey bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Once golden and crunchy, transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat. Chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Chop Fresh Vegetables: Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and roughly chop the romaine lettuce to create a fresh, crisp base for the salad.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the plant-based mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to achieve a balanced tangy and savory flavor.
- Combine Everything: In a large bowl, gently toss the cooled pasta, turkey bacon pieces, fresh vegetables, plant-based creamy cheese, and dressing. Finish by stirring in fresh chopped parsley or basil for aroma and color.
Notes
- Cool pasta thoroughly to prevent sogginess and help dressing adhere better.
- Use fresh vegetables for better taste and texture.
- Season the dressing carefully to balance smoky and fresh flavors.
- Chill the salad before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Adjust the amount of turkey bacon and cheese to suit your tastes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Chicken club pasta salad, smoked turkey bacon salad, plant-based cheese salad, quick pasta salad, fresh vegetable pasta salad
