Description
This Tasty Broccoli Pasta Salad Recipe is a creamy, tangy, and satisfying summer veggie dish packed with crisp broccoli, tender pasta, smoky bacon, and cheddar cheese. Perfect for BBQs, meal prep, or easy weeknight sides, it delivers fresh flavor and great texture in every bite.
Ingredients
8 oz rotini pasta
3 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped small
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese, cubed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup red onion, diced
Instructions
1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until just tender, then drain well
2. Cook bacon until crisp, then chop into small pieces
3. Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar until smooth
4. In a large bowl, combine pasta, broccoli, onion, tomatoes, cheese, and bacon
5. Pour dressing over the mixture and gently fold until evenly coated
6. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to blend
7. Stir before serving and adjust seasoning if needed
Notes
Use raw broccoli for crunch or blanch briefly for a softer bite
Greek yogurt can replace part or all of the mayonnaise
Try different vinegars like apple cider vinegar for variation
Add nuts or seeds for extra texture if desired
Cheese and bacon can be omitted for a lighter or vegetarian version
Cut broccoli into small pieces for easier eating
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Summer Veggies Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 482
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 45mg