Classic Creamy Broccoli Pasta Salad with Bacon
Make this simple, creamy broccoli pasta salad, a perfect make-ahead side dish for potlucks and family gatherings. It features crisp broccoli, tender pasta, and a rich dressing.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound rotini or small shell pasta
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
- Blanch the broccoli florets in boiling water for 1 minute. Immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and retain their bright green color. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth. This makes the creamy broccoli pasta salad dressing.
- Add the cooled pasta, blanched broccoli, crumbled bacon, raisins, red onion, and sunflower seeds (if using) to the dressing.
- Gently fold all ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.
Notes
- You can prepare the dressing up to two days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
- This cold pasta salad side dish tastes best when served chilled.
- For a healthier broccoli pasta salad variation, substitute half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 23
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 9
- Cholesterol: 20
Find it online: https://miameal.com/broccoli-pasta-salad-recipe/