Creamy Broccoli Pasta Salad
Indulge in the perfect blend of freshness and creaminess with this Creamy Broccoli Pasta Salad—a deliciously satisfying side dish or light meal! Featuring tender al dente pasta, crisp-tender broccoli florets, and a tangy, velvety dressing made with a harmonious mix of mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a touch of honey, this pasta salad is bursting with flavor. Tossed with sharp shredded cheddar, crunchy red onions, and smoky crumbled bacon, every bite delivers the perfect balance of textures and savory notes. Quick to prepare with just 15 minutes of cooking time, this chilled salad is ideal for potlucks, picnics, or weekday meals. Serve it as a crowd-pleasing accompaniment or let it shine as a delicious main—either way, this creamy pasta salad is guaranteed to be a hit!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams pasta (rotini, fusilli, or penne)
- 250 grams broccoli florets
- 120 grams mayonnaise
- 100 grams Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 100 grams shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 slices crispy bacon, crumbled
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, following the package instructions. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain and rinse the pasta under cold water. Set aside.
While the pasta cooks, steam the broccoli. Bring a small pot of water to a simmer and add the broccoli florets. Steam for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Add the cooked pasta, steamed broccoli, chopped red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon to the bowl with the dressing.
Gently toss everything together until evenly coated in the dressing. If the pasta salad seems too dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen the dressing.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Before serving, give the salad a quick toss and garnish with additional crumbled bacon or grated cheese, if desired. Serve chilled.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2107 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 136.0 g | 174% | |
| Saturated Fat | 34.6 g | 173% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 264 mg | 88% | |
| Sodium | 4155 mg | 181% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 155.0 g | 56% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 13.6 g | 49% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.7 g | ||
| Protein | 71.1 g | 142% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 963 mg | 74% | |
| Iron | 5.7 mg | 32% | |
| Potassium | 612 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
