Description
This Tasty Broccoli Pasta Salad is a delightful medley of creamy and crunchy textures, featuring tender pasta enveloped in a rich, tangy dressing. Each bite bursts with the fresh, vibrant flavors of crisp broccoli, sweet cherry tomatoes, and zesty red onion, making it a perfect side dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- Pasta: 2 cups of rotini pasta, cooked al dente and cooled
- Vegetables:
- 1 cup of fresh broccoli florets, blanched
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup of red onion, finely chopped
- Dressing:
- 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Extras:
- 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds for crunch
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Blanch the broccoli florets in boiling water for 2 minutes, then transfer them to an ice bath to maintain their vibrant color and crunch.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, blanched broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables, tossing gently to coat everything evenly.
- Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and sunflower seeds for added texture.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled, garnished with additional sunflower seeds if desired.
Notes
- This salad can be made a day in advance; just keep it covered in the refrigerator.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter version, substitute the mayonnaise with additional Greek yogurt.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or cucumbers for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: salad
- Method: boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4 grams
- Sodium: 450 milligrams
- Fat: 20 grams
- Saturated Fat: 3 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 30 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 8 grams
- Cholesterol: 10 milligrams
Keywords: Tasty Broccoli Pasta Salad Recipe, pasta salad, broccoli salad, creamy salad, summer salad, vegetarian recipe, easy salad, side dish, potluck recipe, healthy salad, quick recipe, fresh vegetables, cold pasta salad, creamy dressing