Dinner

Broccoli Pasta Salad Recipe

ByLily Cross July 23, 2025July 23, 2025

Bright, crunchy, and absolutely loaded with flavor, Broccoli Pasta Salad is the kind of recipe that makes you rethink just how exciting a side dish can be. Imagine tender pasta mingled with crisp broccoli, sweet-tangy cranberries, smoky bacon, and a creamy, tangy dressing tying it all together—it’s utterly irresistible. Perfect for any potluck, picnic, or family dinner, this salad is as stunning to serve as it is easy to whip up, and it’s guaranteed to be the bowl everyone goes back to for seconds. Get ready to fall in love with this colorful crowd-pleaser!

Broccoli Pasta Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes this Broccoli Pasta Salad so special? It’s all about a handful of simple ingredients, each one playing a vital part in taste, texture, and color. Here’s what you’ll gather—and why you won’t want to leave anything out!

Broccoli Florets: Aim for bite-sized pieces for the perfect crunch and gorgeous green color.
Rotini (or short pasta): This shape is amazing at catching the creamy dressing in every twist.
Diced Red Onion: Offers a crisp, zesty bite that wakes up all the other flavors.
Dried Cranberries: Provide irresistible sweet and tart pops throughout every forkful.
Sunflower Seeds: Give a lovely nutty crunch—use roasted for extra flavor!
Bacon (cooked and crumbled): Smoky, savory, and addictive—bacon brings this salad into celebration territory.
Crumbled Feta Cheese (optional): A creamy, tangy layer; leave it out for dairy-free but it’s delicious if you’ve got it.
Granulated Sugar: Just a touch, to balance the dressing’s acidity and make the salad sing.
White Wine Vinegar: Brings a bright, tangy zip to the creamy dressing.
Mayonnaise: The key to a rich, creamy dressing that clings beautifully to every ingredient.
Sour Cream: Adds a subtle tanginess and lightness to the dressing.
Salt and Black Pepper: Season to taste for maximum flavor.

How to Make Broccoli Pasta Salad

Step 1: Whisk Together the Creamy Dressing

Start by combining the mayonnaise, sour cream, white wine vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Whisk everything together until smooth. This luscious dressing is what ties the whole Broccoli Pasta Salad together, balancing tang, sweetness, and that signature creaminess.

Step 2: Cook and Cool the Pasta

Cook the rotini (or your favorite short pasta) according to package directions until just al dente. When it’s ready, drain immediately and run it under cold water to stop the cooking process and bring the temperature down. Chilled pasta keeps the salad refreshing, never mushy.

Step 3: Prep and Combine the Salad Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, add the broccoli florets, diced red onion, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, bacon, and crumbled feta cheese if using. This is the heart of your Broccoli Pasta Salad—lots of texture, sweet and savory notes, plus a gorgeous, colorful mix.

Step 4: Dress and Mix

Pour the creamy dressing over the bowl of salad ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly. Make sure every bite gets some of that dreamy dressing. This is where all those flavors start to meld together!

Step 5: Chill for Maximum Flavor

Transfer the salad to the fridge and let it chill for about an hour before serving. Trust me, this resting time is crucial—it allows the flavors to marry and really brings the Broccoli Pasta Salad to life.

How to Serve Broccoli Pasta Salad

Garnishes

A final sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or chives can brighten up your Broccoli Pasta Salad just before serving. For a little extra crunch, toss on a few more sunflower seeds or a crumble of feta right at the end.

Side Dishes

Broccoli Pasta Salad is an all-star alongside grilled chicken, burgers, or even roasted salmon. Its bold flavors also make it a perfect match for picnic fare like sandwiches, fruit salad, or crusty garlic bread.

Creative Ways to Present

Why not let your creativity shine? Serve this salad in individual mason jars for grab-and-go picnics, scoop it into lettuce cups for a playful, bite-sized starter, or spoon it over a bowl of mixed greens for a heartier meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Broccoli Pasta Salad keeps wonderfully covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a quick stir before serving, as the dressing might settle a bit at the bottom.

Freezing

This isn’t a great salad for the freezer, as the creamy dressing and fresh vegetables can suffer in texture once thawed. It’s best enjoyed made fresh or from the fridge.

Reheating

No reheating needed! This salad is meant to be served cold or at room temperature. If you’d like to revive leftovers, just bring the salad out of the fridge about 20 minutes before serving to remove the chill.

FAQs

Can I use another type of pasta?

Absolutely! Any short pasta like penne, fusilli, or farfalle will work beautifully in Broccoli Pasta Salad. Just choose one with ridges or twists to hold onto that delicious dressing.

How do I make it vegetarian?

Simply leave out the bacon or replace it with a vegetarian bacon alternative. The salad is still packed with flavor, thanks to the vibrant mix of veggies and feta.

Can I prepare Broccoli Pasta Salad in advance?

Yes, this salad is perfect for making ahead! In fact, chilling it for at least an hour deepens the flavors. Just wait to add extra crunchy toppings or garnishes until right before serving.

How do I keep the broccoli bright green and crisp?

For extra-crisp broccoli, briefly blanch the florets in boiling water for 1 minute, then plunge into ice water before adding to the salad. This keeps their color vibrant and the texture tender-crisp.

What can I substitute for mayonnaise?

You can swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter but still creamy dressing. You’ll get a slightly tangier flavor that pairs wonderfully with the other ingredients!

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to impress at your next gathering or simply want a fresh twist on classic salads, give Broccoli Pasta Salad a try. It’s a vibrant, flavorful dish that always disappears fast and is sure to become a favorite at your table. Happy cooking!