Rustic Pasta Salad with Smoked Bacon Cubes

I can propose a recipe for a tasty rustic pasta salad with smoked bacon cubes that mixes robust flavors with the freshness of the salad. Here’s how to proceed.

Ingredients

• 250 g of rustic short pasta (such as fusilli or penne)
• 150 g of smoked bacon cubes
• 200 g of cherry tomatoes
• 1 large zucchini
• 1 red bell pepper
• 50 g of arugula
• 30 g of Parmesan shavings
• Extra virgin olive oil as needed
• Salt and pepper as needed
• Balsamic vinegar (optional)
• A handful of pitted black olives (optional)

Preparation

1. Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water following the package directions for al dente cooking. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down.

2. In the meantime, in a frying pan, brown the smoked bacon cubes until they become crispy. Set them aside on paper towels to remove excess fat.

3. Wash and cut the cherry tomatoes in half, dice the zucchini, and cut the bell pepper into strips. If you wish, lightly grill the zucchini and bell pepper to add a smoky touch.

4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, bacon cubes, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and bell pepper. Add arugula and black olives if you like them.

5. Dress with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste. For an additional touch of flavor, you can drizzle with some balsamic vinegar.

6. Gently mix the ingredients to combine the flavors.

7. Complete the salad by sprinkling with Parmesan shavings.

This pasta salad is perfect for a summer lunch or as a one-dish meal for a picnic.

Curiosity

Pasta salad is a versatile dish that allows for experimentation with various ingredients depending on the season or personal tastes. The smoked bacon adds a distinctive touch and pairs well with the freshness of the vegetables. In Italy, pasta salad is a practical solution for summer meals, as it can be prepared in advance and kept in the refrigerator.