Description
A crunchy, creamy, smoky, and fresh pasta salad perfect as a Memorial Day side dish. Features rotini pasta, crispy bacon, fresh broccoli, and a tangy creamy dressing.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini or bowtie pasta (penne works too)
- 3 cups broccoli florets (about 300g)
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon
- ½ medium red onion, finely diced (about 50g)
- ½ cup mayonnaise (120ml)
- ¼ cup sour cream (60ml)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30ml)
- 1 tablespoon honey (15ml)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (start with ½ teaspoon salt)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (113g), optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 7-8 minutes.
- In the last 2 minutes of pasta cooking, add broccoli florets to blanch slightly.
- Drain pasta and broccoli in a colander and rinse immediately under cold water to stop cooking. Drain well and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels and crumble once cool. Optionally save 1 tablespoon bacon fat for dressing.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, honey, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and bacon fat if saved. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine drained pasta and broccoli, crumbled bacon, diced red onion, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss gently but thoroughly until everything is coated. Add more sour cream or mayo if needed.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld. Stir before serving.
Notes
[‘Make ahead by preparing at least a few hours or a day before serving for best flavor.’, ‘Cook bacon until crispy for best texture and flavor.’, ‘Blanch broccoli to soften but keep vibrant color.’, ‘Adjust sweetness and tanginess of dressing to taste.’, ‘For dairy-free, use vegan mayo and sour cream alternatives and omit cheese.’, ‘To prevent sogginess, rinse pasta and broccoli with cold water and drain well.’, ‘Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days; stir in mayo or milk if dry before serving.’, ‘Do not freeze as dressing and veggies do not hold up well.’]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 420
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 14
Keywords: pasta salad, broccoli, bacon, creamy dressing, Memorial Day, side dish, picnic, barbecue