Name: Broccoli Caesar Pasta Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz (about 2½ cups) short pasta (rotini, penne, or bow tie); 4 cups broccoli florets, cut small; 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved; ½ red onion, thinly sliced; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese; Optional: 1½ cups cooked chicken breast or grilled steak, thinly sliced; Salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; ½ cup mayonnaise; ¼ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon garlic paste or finely minced garlic; 1–2 tablespoons water (to thin dressing, if needed)

Description

A fresh and hearty twist on a classic Caesar salad with pasta and broccoli, featuring a creamy dressing.

Ingredients

Scale

8 oz (about 2½ cups) short pasta (rotini, penne, or bow tie)
4 cups broccoli florets, cut small
1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
½ red onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional: 1½ cups cooked chicken breast or grilled steak, thinly sliced
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic paste or finely minced garlic
1–2 tablespoons water (to thin dressing, if needed)

Instructions

Cook your pasta by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the short pasta and cook until al dente (about 8-10 minutes).
Prepare the broccoli by steaming it in boiling water for about 2-3 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender.
Drain the pasta and broccoli, then rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool them down.
Make the dressing by combining mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic in a large bowl; whisk until smooth.
Add the cooled pasta, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and chicken (if using) to the dressing. Toss gently to coat.
Season with grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Toss again to combine.
Chill the salad in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

This salad can be meal-prepped. Just keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 400
Sugar: 7g
Sodium: 450mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 14g
Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: pasta salad, Caesar salad, vegetarian recipes, broccoli salad