Broccoli Pasta Salad: Easy Recipe & Delicious Variations is the kind of dish that instantly brightens up any table. It’s a vibrant, flavor-packed salad loaded with tender-crisp broccoli, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, briny olives, creamy feta, and delightfully chewy pasta, all tossed in a zesty homemade dressing. Whether you’re hosting a picnic, prepping weekday lunches, or just craving a veggie-packed side that feels like a main event, this recipe is destined to become a go-to favorite you’ll want to share with friends and family.

Broccoli Pasta Salad: Easy Recipe & Delicious Variations Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how a handful of ingredients, each with its own punch of flavor and color, come together to create something truly memorable. Every bite of this salad is a celebration of contrasts: creamy, crunchy, tangy, and savory. Here’s what you’ll need and why each ingredient matters.

Pasta: Rotini, penne, or farfalle all work beautifully, offering nooks and crannies to hold onto the delicious dressing.
Broccoli: Fresh florets add crunch, color, and a burst of green goodness to every forkful.
Red Onion: Finely diced, it gives the salad a subtle bite and gorgeous purple flecks.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Oil-packed and chopped, these add a sweet-tart intensity that wakes up the whole dish.
Kalamata Olives: Pitted and halved, their briny flavor is a Mediterranean must-have.
Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta brings a creamy, salty tang that ties everything together.
Pine Nuts (optional): Toasted pine nuts add a buttery crunch and a touch of luxury.
Mayonnaise: The creamy base for the dressing, helping it cling to every piece of pasta and veggie.
Olive Oil: Adds richness and rounds out the dressing with authentic Mediterranean flavor.
Red Wine Vinegar: Brightens the salad with acidity and a hint of fruitiness.
Dijon Mustard: For a subtle sharpness and depth in the dressing.
Garlic: Minced garlic infuses the dressing with a savory backbone.
Dried Oregano: Earthy and aromatic, oregano is a classic pasta salad herb.
Salt: Enhances every ingredient and balances flavors.
Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat and complexity.
Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For a gentle kick if you like a little extra heat.

How to Make Broccoli Pasta Salad: Easy Recipe & Delicious Variations

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start by bringing a big pot of salted water to a lively boil. Add your favorite pasta shape and cook it until just al dente—about 8 to 10 minutes. Pasta is the backbone of this salad, so don’t overcook it! You want it to hold up to the dressing and all those vibrant mix-ins.

Step 2: Blanch the Broccoli

During the last 3 minutes of the pasta’s cooking time, add your broccoli florets right into the boiling water. This trick keeps the broccoli crisp-tender and locks in its beautiful green color, making the Broccoli Pasta Salad: Easy Recipe & Delicious Variations as stunning as it is tasty.

Step 3: Drain and Rinse

Drain the pasta and broccoli together in a colander, then give them a thorough rinse with cold water. This stops the cooking process, cools everything down quickly, and helps prevent sticking.

Step 4: Dry

Shake off as much water as you can, then spread the pasta and broccoli out on a clean kitchen towel. Let them dry for a few minutes; this extra step keeps the salad from getting watery and ensures the dressing clings to every bite.

Step 5: Make the Dressing

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want some heat. Taste and adjust the seasonings as you go—the dressing is the heart of Broccoli Pasta Salad: Easy Recipe & Delicious Variations, so make sure it’s just right for you!

Step 6: Combine

In a large serving bowl, mix the cooked pasta and broccoli with red onion, sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Each ingredient brings color, flavor, and texture, making every spoonful interesting.

Step 7: Dress

Pour the dressing over your pasta mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. This is where the salad really comes to life, as the dressing seeps into every nook and cranny.

Step 8: Pine Nuts

For a little extra crunch and nutty richness, sprinkle the toasted pine nuts over the top. They’re optional, but they add an irresistible touch.

Step 9: Chill

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This not only allows the flavors to mingle and deepen, but also makes the salad perfect for making ahead—a big win for busy days!

How to Serve Broccoli Pasta Salad: Easy Recipe & Delicious Variations

Garnishes

A handful of extra feta, a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, or a dusting of cracked black pepper takes this salad from delicious to dazzling. Don’t forget a few extra pine nuts or a drizzle of good olive oil for maximum appeal.

Side Dishes

Broccoli Pasta Salad: Easy Recipe & Delicious Variations pairs beautifully with so many main courses. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or even a simple veggie burger. It’s also right at home as part of a buffet spread at picnics, potlucks, or family gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving the salad in individual mason jars for a portable picnic treat, or pile it high on a bed of arugula for a fresh take. You can even spoon it into lettuce cups for bite-sized appetizers that will wow your guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Broccoli Pasta Salad: Easy Recipe & Delicious Variations keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container to preserve its freshness and prevent the flavors from mingling with other foods.

Freezing

While pasta salads generally don’t freeze well due to the creamy dressing and fresh veggies, you can freeze the cooked pasta and blanched broccoli separately if you want to get a head start. Just add the fresh ingredients and dressing after thawing for best results.

Reheating

This salad is meant to be served cold or at room temperature, so there’s no need to reheat. If you’d like a warmer version, let it sit out for a few minutes before serving, or briefly microwave individual portions without overheating.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Salad

Absolutely! While rotini, penne, and farfalle are my top picks for holding the dressing, any short pasta shape works. Just make sure it’s sturdy enough to hold up to the other ingredients.

Is there a way to make this salad vegan?

Yes! Swap the mayonnaise for your favorite vegan mayo, skip the feta or use a plant-based alternative, and you’ve got a delicious vegan version of Broccoli Pasta Salad: Easy Recipe & Delicious Variations.

What if I don’t have sun-dried tomatoes?

No worries—cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or even chopped artichoke hearts can step in. The salad is wonderfully flexible, so use what you have!

Can I add protein to make it a main dish?

Definitely. Grilled chicken, chickpeas, or even canned tuna are all tasty add-ins that make this salad hearty enough for a meal.

How far ahead can I make Broccoli Pasta Salad: Easy Recipe & Delicious Variations?

You can prepare the salad up to a day in advance. In fact, letting it chill overnight helps the flavors meld even further—just give it a quick toss before serving.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to try Broccoli Pasta Salad: Easy Recipe & Delicious Variations and make it your own. It’s endlessly adaptable, always crowd-pleasing, and sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Happy cooking!

Broccoli Pasta Salad: Easy Recipe & Delicious Variations Recipe

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4.7 from 23 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Broccoli Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for a light lunch or a side at gatherings. Featuring tender pasta, crisp broccoli florets, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, briny Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese, all coated in a zesty homemade dressing, this salad is both satisfying and refreshing. Toasted pine nuts add a delightful crunch, making it a versatile and delicious recipe that’s easy to customize and prepare ahead of time.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Vegetables

1 pound pasta (rotini, penne, or farfalle)
1 large head of broccoli, cut into small florets
1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved

Cheese and Nuts

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)

Dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
Blanch the Broccoli: About 3 minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water with the pasta to blanch them until just tender but still crisp.
Drain and Rinse: Drain the pasta and broccoli together in a colander. Rinse them thoroughly under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool them down.
Dry: Shake off excess water and spread the pasta and broccoli on a clean kitchen towel to dry further and prevent a watery salad.
Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference.
Combine: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta and broccoli with the diced red onion, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese.
Dress: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
Pine Nuts: Sprinkle the toasted pine nuts over the salad if using for added texture and flavor.
Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

You can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing.
Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant for best flavor.
Adjust salt and pepper levels to taste, especially if your feta cheese is salty.
This salad can be made a day ahead to enhance the flavors further.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Boiling, Blanching, Tossing
Cuisine: Mediterranean