Description
A hearty, tangy pasta salad featuring smoky halal bacon substitute, creamy ranch dressing, and melty cheese—perfect for potlucks or quick meals. Balances savory and crisp elements with a protein-rich base.
Ingredients
12 oz pasta (rotini or bowtie), cooked al dente and rinsed
8 oz halal bacon substitute, cooked crisp
1 cup non-alcoholic ranch dressing
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Gouda)
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup black olives (optional)
Instructions
Boil pasta until al dente. Rinse under cold water and drain.
Cook halal bacon substitute in a skillet until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and olives in a large bowl.
Add ranch dressing and toss to coat evenly.
Stir in cooked bacon and shredded cheese (cheese will soften slightly after chilling).
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to meld flavors before serving.
Notes
Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version
Plant-based bacon can replace halal bacon for vegan option
Adjust cheese type (Gouda, vegan) to dietary preferences
Storage: Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg