Creamy Bacon Broccoli Pasta Salad
This Creamy Bacon Broccoli Pasta Salad is truly amazing! Rotini pasta, bacon, onion and broccoli tossed in a creamy sweet and sour dressing.
A CLASSIC PASTA SALAD RECIPE
Who doesn’t love a good pasta salad? They are usually pretty easy to make and not to mention filling. I have got a fantastic pasta salad to share with you today. It’s a classic recipe that has a slightly sweet, slightly tangy thing going on that really adds to the overall flavor!
WHAT OTHER INGREDIENTS CAN I ADD TO PASTA SALAD?
You can change up the add-ins however you like. Use a different pasta or maybe you want to use green peppers or grapes or some toasted nuts. All that can be tailored to your tastes. But the creamy sauce really makes this salad something special.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- rotini pasta
- fresh broccoli
- red onion
- bacon
- mayonnaise
- red wine vinegar
- sugar
- salt
- freshly ground black pepper
HOW TO MAKE CREAMY BACON BROCCOLI PASTA SALAD:
Prepare pasta according to package directions. Chop broccoli, onion and bacon. Note: A quick word about how this broccoli should be chopped up. It’s helpful if you aren’t real familiar with chopping up fresh broccoli. We just want the top part of the broccoli here, the florets. So you need to chop off the thick stem. Maybe put those in your veggie stock or compost bin.
And then chop up the florets so that they are in smaller bite-size pieces.
I chopped up the bacon while I was doing my other chopping and then put it in a little baggie. I add the bacon in right before serving so that it will stay kinda crispy when ready to eat
In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.
Once pasta is cooked, be sure to drain it well.
Then put it in a large bowl. Pour in mayonnaise mixture, chopped broccoli and diced onion (don’t add the bacon in yet, you want to add that in right before serving so it stays crunchy.) Stir well.
Cover bowl and put in the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours.
Before serving, add crumbled bacon to salad.
Then give it all a good stir and then serve.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Creamy Bacon Broccoli Pasta Salad (+Video)
Ingredients
- 16 ounce package rotini pasta
- 1 pound fresh broccoli, chopped (stems removed)
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions. Chop broccoli, onion and bacon.
- In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.
- Once pasta has been cooked and drained well, put it in a large bowl.
- Pour in mayonnaise mixture, chopped broccoli and diced onion (don’t add the bacon in yet, you want to add that in right before serving so it stays crunchy).
- Stir well.
- Cover bowl and put in the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours.
- Before serving, add crumbled bacon to salad and then give it all a good stir and then serve.
Video
Notes
- Some additional add-ins that would be delicious in this are some halved red grapes (1 1/2 cups) and chopped pecans (1 cup).
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Have you ever made this with gluten free pasta? Wondering how well it does.
I’m sorry, I’ve never used gluten free pasta so I’m not really familiar.
Delicious big hit with my family. I usually add either a cup of dried cranberries or raisins .
That is so wonderful to read Sandra! Thanks so very much for taking the time to come back and comment!
My wife and I really enjoy this salad. It’s a great canvas for other add-ins. We’ve tried a bunch of different things, but think halved Cherry tomatoes, feta, and sunflower seeds are pretty stellar. Thanks brandie!
Refreshing salad. My spouse loves it!
Can I substitute the red wine vinegar with apple cider vinegar or something else?
I made this today and it’s currently chilling in the fridge and I’m excited because I know it will taste as good as it looks! I’ve made over a dozen of your recipes so far and every meal turned out great. Thanks for sharing and don’t ever stop.
This is the best pasta salad I have had in years. I followed the directions, but added little more broccoli (not enough to save for another meal). It’s light and refreshing this is definitely a winner!
This looks delicious! I often have a similar dish that is creamy bacon and mushroom pasta, so next time I’ll try it with broccoli instead of the mushrooms!
Emily
Thanks Emily! Hope you love it!!
Add shredded mozzarella cheese to put it over the top!!
My son-in-law loves this salad! Thanks for sharing.
This dish looks wonderful! I like to peel and discard the hard outer layer of the broccoli stalk and slice up the rest of the stalk to put in my broccoli salads. Give it a try, I think you'll like it!
Definitely peel the stalks & add to salads. We love it raw like carrot sticks. It’s very tender & delicious.. never in the compost!
Thank you so much for posting this wonderful recipe! I was supposed to bring a broccoli-cauliflower salad to Moms for Easter dinner, but can't find any fresh cauliflower in the stores. This will be a wonderful alternative. I just love all of your recipes.
I have just finished putting this Pasta Salad together and I can't imagine the taste getting better after it being in the fridge for 3hrs, it tastes Amazing now! Thanks for sharing, and will make this again! 5 STARS 4 U!
To make it even better, I always add a cup or so of shredded cheddar cheese.
Thanks for the recipe Brandie! I made this for an office Baby Shower and received a lot of compliments!!! I will definitely make it again
YUM DELICIOUS………….TASTES GREAT AND WHO DOESN'T WANT PASTA SALAD IN SUMMER? GREAT RECIPE……..A KEEPER FOR SURE!!
I have made this pasta salad at least 8 times since you originally posted it. My generally meat loving teenager can't seem to get enough of it and I'm always happy to see him eat something besides a cheeseburger! Thank you!
I am going to make this for a Mother's Day Luncheon. If it taste anything like it looks it's going to be wonderful!
Thank YOU!
Toni
Fabulous salad! I always make broccoli salad for church and funeral dinners, but this is easier and still tastes great. I cut the broccoli smaller than in the picture and I liked it a lot. My husband said this is OUR salad now! Easy and so tasty!
Love hearing that!! Yay! Thank you so very much for taking the time to come back and leave a review!
Brandi, I still haven't had lunch, and a big ol' bowl of this pasta salad is calling my name. I also heart mayo…sigh, but I love the red wine vinegar that you added too, delish!
This pasta looks so good. Reminds me of one of the pastas that I buy at the deli. I will definitely be making this, this summer. 🙂
This looks fab Brandie!
I love adding broccoli with the pasta salad – adds such a pretty green color! I am one of those people though that are very grossed out by anything mayo so I will skip on that part! :D)
Oh my! I could probably eat this all by myself! Looks delicious!
YUMM! I love pasta salad with broccoli – definitely need to try this one.
Hi Brandie! The recipe sounds delicious! We love pasta salad so this will be something to serve when all the girls are here! Thanks for sharing! Blessings from Bama!