Description
This Broccoli Pasta Salad is a fresh, easy, and flavorful dish combining crisp broccoli and colorful veggies with creamy plant-based cheese and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 20 minutes, it offers a satisfying balance of textures and tastes, ideal for quick meals, lunch packing, or light dinners throughout the year.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Pasta
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 cups pasta (such as rotini or penne), cooked al dente
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (like parsley or basil), chopped
Additional
- 1/2 cup shredded plant-based cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Start by boiling salted water and cooking your pasta until just tender, usually around 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and keep the pasta from sticking.
- Prepare the Broccoli and Veggies: While the pasta cooks, chop your broccoli into bite-sized florets and thinly slice red onion and cherry tomatoes. If you prefer softer broccoli, briefly blanch it in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes, then plunge into ice water to keep it crisp and vibrant.
- Make the Dressing: Whisk together the apple cider vinegar (natural), olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs to create a light, tangy dressing that brings brightness and balance to your salad.
- Toss Everything Together: Combine the cooled pasta, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and shredded plant-based cheese in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently to coat every bite evenly.
- Chill and Serve: For best flavor, let your Broccoli Pasta Salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to mingle and soak in beautifully.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to ensure it retains a nice bite that pairs well with crisp broccoli.
- Add fresh herbs at the end to preserve their flavor and color.
- Use just enough dressing to lightly coat ingredients for a balanced, not soggy, salad.
- Chill the salad before serving to develop flavors and create a refreshing dish.
- Prepare pasta and chop vegetables ahead of time to save time on serving day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: broccoli pasta salad, plant-based cheese, vegan pasta salad, healthy salad, quick meal, gluten free salad, vegetarian pasta salad
