A Broccoli Pasta Salad that’s guaranteed to be a hit with everyone—savory, sweet, and easy to eat!
Surprisingly, my eldest son’s favorite vegetable is broccoli. He loves the stuff, and I have no complaints about that! It’s full of nutrients, so I’m just thrilled that he enjoys something so healthy. Therefore, I make a point to serve broccoli in various delicious ways—and this is one of them. Pasta salad is a go-to easy meal in our house, and dressing it up with a good sauce and some tasty ingredients keeps things exciting.
This salad is a great choice for a refreshing lunch. It stores well enough, so you can make it in advance and pop it out of the refrigerator the second the kids say, “I’m hungry!” Restless, hungry kids are never a good thing, making it really important to always have quick, ready-to-go meals on hand.
You’re going to love the bright flavors in this salad. It just feels like summer to me, like ease, relaxation, sunny days, and fun times. The combination of crisp broccoli, a zippy dressing, and sweet and salty add-ins creates a fine dish that’ll be a guaranteed hit at your family table or any potluck.
The Perfect Pasta
The pasta is the base of this dish, the way a foundation holds up a house. You want to make sure you don’t just use any type of pasta shape. Rotini pasta is an excellent choice because the spirals hold the dressing perfectly. Using something like spaghetti won’t work here. You could also try other small varieties such as penne, farfalle, or orecchiette. And, if you’d like to add some extra fiber to your diet, feel free to choose whole-wheat varieties.
FAQs & Tips
How To Make Ahead And Store
You can store the salad for up to 4 days in an airtight container in your refrigerator. Your broccoli may get a little soft after a while, and the bacon won’t be as crunchy, but it’ll still taste good. Don’t freeze this dish, as the textures will be affected upon thawing.
A Baconless Option
If you’re a vegetarian or aren’t a fan of bacon, you can omit this ingredient entirely. There are pretty good plant-based alternatives available these days, but if you’d like to stick to a whole food, add in some sun-dried or roasted tomatoes instead. Briny olives or capers will work well, too.
Cool It!
Once you make your pasta, don’t immediately add the other ingredients. If it’s too hot, and you add your dressing and fresh vegetables, you’ll end up with a soggy mess. Make sure to run cold water over your pasta first and drain it well before proceeding.
Serving Suggestions
While I love this dish by itself as an easy and healthy lunch, it is also an excellent choice to serve as a side dish at BBQs, picnics, and potlucks. It goes particularly well with Grilled Honey BBQ Chicken, Grilled Filet Mignon, or BBQ Hamburgers. If you’re omitting the bacon and want a vegetarian choice, try out some savory Black Bean Burgers!
Broccoli Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 4 cups broccoli cut into small pieces
- 1/3 cup red onion diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, white wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and run under cold water to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, broccoli, red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and crumbled bacon.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and mix well.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
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