Description
This Tasty Broccoli Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that combines the crunch of fresh broccoli with creamy dressing and hearty rotini pasta. Perfect for family gatherings or a quick meal, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package (16 ounces) rotini pasta
- 1 pound broccoli, chopped (stems discarded)
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 pound cooked bacon, crumbled
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Start by cooking the rotini pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook for exactly 8-10 minutes until al dente, stirring occasionally. To check, taste a piece; it should be firm but not crunchy.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the broccoli. In a separate pot, bring water to boil and blanch the chopped broccoli for about 2-3 minutes until vibrant green and slightly tender. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process and retain its color.
- Once the pasta is ready, drain it and rinse under cold water to cool it down. This also helps prevent the pasta from sticking together. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the blanched broccoli, diced red onion, and crumbled bacon to the bowl with the pasta. Use a spatula to gently combine the ingredients without breaking the pasta.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well-blended. This will create a creamy dressing for our salad.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and carefully fold it in until everything is evenly coated. Be gentle to avoid breaking the pasta or broccoli florets.
- Cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld. This is an essential step, as it enhances the taste and texture. If you’re in a hurry, even 30 minutes can help!
- Before serving, give the salad a good stir and adjust seasoning if necessary. You can add a little more salt, pepper, or vinegar to taste. Serve chilled and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling and Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: For the best flavor, use a high-quality mayonnaise. If you prefer a vegetarian option, you can replace the bacon with roasted chickpeas for a crunchy texture.