Fresh Broccoli Pasta Salad (Printable)

Crisp broccoli and tender pasta tossed in zesty lemon dressing with fresh vegetables. A vibrant dish perfect for warm days.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 9 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large head fresh broccoli, cut into small florets
03 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots

→ Dressing

06 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
07 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
08 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
09 - 1 clove garlic, minced
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Extras

12 - 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
13 - 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds or slivered almonds
14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

# How-to Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine the cooled pasta and broccoli, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and shredded carrots.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss well to combine.
05 - Gently fold in feta cheese (if using), toasted sunflower seeds or almonds, and chopped parsley.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes for flavors to meld.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • The crisp broccoli stays bright and never gets mushy, thanks to a quick blanch with the pasta
  • Its equally delicious straight from the bowl or after chilling overnight, making it perfect for prep-ahead meals
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta under cold water is essential, or it will continue cooking and turn into a mushy mess
  • The dressing tastes brighter if you let it sit for 10 minutes before tossing, giving the garlic time to mellow
03 -
  • Toasting the sunflower seeds in a dry pan for 3 minutes until fragrant takes them from good to unforgettable
  • Let the dressed salad sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to wake up all the flavors

Go back