Skip to content
Bacon Broccoli Pasta Salad 🥓🥦🍝
A creamy, crunchy, and smoky pasta salad loaded with crispy bacon, fresh broccoli, and a tangy dressing—perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or meal prep!
🍽️ Servings: 6-8
⏳ Prep Time: 15 mins
⌛ Chill Time: 1 hour
📝 Ingredients
For the Salad:
-
12 oz pasta (rotini, bowtie, or elbow)
-
6 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped small
-
8 oz bacon, cooked crispy & crumbled
-
½ cup red onion, finely diced
-
½ cup cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
-
¼ cup sunflower seeds or sliced almonds (for crunch)
For the Dressing:
-
1 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for lighter version)
-
¼ cup sour cream
-
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
-
2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
-
1 tsp Dijon mustard
-
½ tsp garlic powder
-
½ tsp salt
-
¼ tsp black pepper
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta & Broccoli
-
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
-
Blanch broccoli in boiling water for 1 minute, then plunge into ice water to keep it crisp. Drain well.
2. Make the Dressing
-
Whisk together mayo, sour cream, vinegar, honey, Dijon, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Assemble
-
In a large bowl, combine pasta, broccoli, bacon, red onion, cheese, and seeds.
-
Pour dressing over and toss gently to coat.
4. Chill & Serve
-
Refrigerate at least 1 hour (overnight is better for flavors to meld).
-
Stir well before serving—add extra bacon on top for flair!
💡 Pro Tips
✅ Meal prep friendly: Stays fresh for 3-4 days in the fridge.
✅ Add-ins: Cherry tomatoes, dried cranberries, or avocado (add last minute).
✅ Vegetarian? Skip bacon and use smoked almonds or tempeh.
🌟 Why You’ll Love It
✔️ Creamy + crunchy texture (thanks to broccoli and bacon!).
✔️ Sweet & tangy dressing balances the smokiness.
✔️ Crowd-pleaser—even veggie skeptics go back for seconds!
Pair with: Grilled chicken or a summer berry salad for a full meal.
🔥 “This isn’t your average pasta salad—it’s a flavor explosion!” Want it spicier (add sriracha) or lighter (swap mayo for yogurt)? Let me know! 😊
