Description
This Best Broccoli Pasta Salad is creamy, crunchy, and loaded with fresh broccoli, tender pasta, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and a flavorful homemade dressing. It’s the perfect make-ahead side dish for BBQs, picnics, potlucks, and family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 3 cups broccoli florets, chopped small
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Prepare pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Prepare broccoli: Chop broccoli into small bite-sized florets.
- Make dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper.
- Combine salad: In a large bowl, mix pasta, broccoli, cheddar cheese, bacon, red onion, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
For extra crunch, add the sunflower seeds right before serving. This salad can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: best broccoli pasta salad, broccoli bacon pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, summer side dish, potluck salad