Description
This Broccoli Pasta Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish perfect for summer meals. It combines crisp broccoli florets, tender pasta, smoky plant-based turkey bacon, and a zesty, natural dressing to create a satisfying blend of textures and flavors. Easy to prepare in under 30 minutes, this salad is ideal for lunches, picnics, or backyard gatherings and can be customized with your favorite herbs, nuts, or veggies.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli florets, fresh
- 2 cups small pasta shapes (rotini or shells), cooked and cooled
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, plant-based, cooked and chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, optional, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Dressing
- 1/3 cup plant-based mayonnaise (natural)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (natural)
- 1 teaspoon honey (natural)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta and broccoli: Boil the pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Add the broccoli florets to the boiling water during the last 2 minutes. Drain both, rinse with cold water to stop cooking, and set aside to cool completely.
- Cook the smoked turkey bacon: While the pasta and broccoli cool, fry the plant-based smoked turkey bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the zesty dressing: In a bowl, whisk together plant-based mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Combine all ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, broccoli, crispy turkey bacon, sliced red onion, and optional cherry tomatoes. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Chill before serving: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to become refreshing.
Notes
- Use fresh broccoli for the best crunch and color; avoid canned or frozen.
- Cook broccoli near the end of pasta cooking time to keep it tender-crisp.
- Rinse pasta thoroughly in cold water to prevent mushiness.
- Adjust vinegar or honey in the dressing to achieve your preferred balance of tang and sweetness.
- Toss salad gently to preserve broccoli’s texture and visual appeal.
- The salad stays fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing is not recommended as it can alter texture and flavor.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature without reheating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling and mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: broccoli pasta salad, plant-based pasta salad, summer salad, smoky turkey bacon salad, easy pasta salad, gluten free pasta salad
