This Creamy Bacon Broccoli Pasta Salad is truly amazing! Rotini pasta, bacon, onion and broccoli tossed in a super yummy sweet and sour creamy dressing.
CREAMY BACON BROCCOLI PASTA SALAD
VIDEO INCLUDED BELOW:
WHAT OTHER INGREDIENTS CAN I ADD TO PASTA SALAD?
I really enjoy creamy pasta salads. They are my favorite. Probably because of the mayonnaise. I heart mayonnaise. Oh and bacon. I definitely heart bacon. It makes everything better. This pasta salad has a slightly sweet, slightly tangy thing going on that really adds to the overall flavor. 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.
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.
Cover bowl and put in the fridge to chill for at least 3 hours.
Enjoy!
CREAMY BACON BROCCOLI PASTA SALAD
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz) 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 tsp salt
- 1 tsp 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
Nutrition
WANT MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS? CHECK THESE OUT!
SUMMER SPAGHETTI SALAD
FRITO CORN SALAD
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BROCCOLI SALAD WITH CREAMY DRESSING
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!
YUMM! I love pasta salad with broccoli – definitely need to try this one.
Oh my! I could probably eat this all by myself! Looks delicious!
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)
This looks fab Brandie!
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. 🙂
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!
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
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!
YUM DELICIOUS………….TASTES GREAT AND WHO DOESN'T WANT PASTA SALAD IN SUMMER? GREAT RECIPE……..A KEEPER FOR SURE!!
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
To make it even better, I always add a cup or so of shredded cheddar cheese.
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!
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.
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!
My son-in-law loves this salad! Thanks for sharing.
Add shredded mozzarella cheese to put it over the top!!
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!!
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!