This deliciously versatile broccoli pasta salad is a true all-rounder, perfect for make-ahead work lunches, an easy side to your favourite protein, or a crowd-pleasing dish for your next barbecue. A winning mix of fresh greens, creamy walnuts, crispy bacon and satisfying pasta, all tossed in a sweet-tangy dressing that only gets better with time.
Servings 6
Course dinner, lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian, Mediterranean
Ingredients
300gramspiral pastauncooked
1broccoliwhole head
6 bacon rashes
1red onionsmall
1/2cupcraisinsoptional
1/2 cupwalnuts
1 cupmayonaise
2tbspapple cider vinegar
2 tbspwhite sugar
2tspblack pepper
2 tspsalt
Equipment
1 Bowl
1 Saucepan
1 Pot
Method
Cook pasta according to package instructions.
While water for pasta is heating, cook bacon until golden brown on each side, and chop.
Wash broccoli, and cut out center stem, then break or cut the florets into bit-sized pieces.
Chop onion into small cubes.
When pasta is done cooking, drain, and rinse with cold water or place in fridge to cool.
Toss pasta, bacon, broccoli, onion, walnuts, and Craisins together in bowl, and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
Drizzle over broccoli-pasta mixture, and toss to combine.
This easy broccoli pasta salad is the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself making on repeat. Designed to do double (or triple) duty, it works just as well packed into work lunches as it does served alongside a simple protein for dinner, or piled into a big bowl to share at your next barbecue.Crisp seasonal broccoli, smoky bacon, creamy walnuts and tender pasta are tossed through a lightly sweet, tangy dressing that brings everything together without feeling heavy. It’s satisfying, fresh and holds up beautifully in the fridgeCrowd-pleasing salad recipemaking it ideal for meal prep or make-ahead entertaining. Don’t have Craisins on hand? Simply leave them out; the salad is just as delicious and adaptable with pantry staples you already have.Best of all, this is a salad that gets better with time. Make it ahead, let the flavours mingle, and enjoy a versatile, crowd-pleasing dish that fits effortlessly into busy weeks and relaxed summer gatherings especially when broccoli is at its seasonal best. This is a true make 2-days ahead salad saviour!
