Broccoli Cauliflower Pasta Salad – Easy Cold Side Dish for any Occasion
This Broccoli Cauliflower Pasta Salad is an easy side dish that’s great for BBQs, potlucks, lunches, or simple family dinners. It combines tender bowtie pasta with crisp broccoli and cauliflower for a fresh mix of textures and flavor. It’s easy to throw together, easy to make ahead, and goes well with just about anything off the grill or on the dinner table.
If you enjoy fresh and easy cold side dishes, this Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad is another flavorful recipe that’s perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and summer dinners.
How to Make Broccoli Cauliflower Pasta Salad
Here are the ingredients you need to make this simple Pasta Salad with Broccoli and Cauliflower, plus step by step instructions for how to make it.
Ingredients
- 8 oz bowtie Pasta noodles
- 3 cups bite size broccoli florets
- 3 cups bite size cauliflower florets
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- 2.5 oz bacon pieces
- ½ cup Mozzarella cheese
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp pepper
Step by Step Instructions
1. Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into small bite-sized pieces, then finely dice the red onion. Set everything aside until ready to assemble the salad.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain well, then rinse the pasta under cold water until completely cooled to stop the cooking process.
3. While the pasta cooks, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl until the dressing is smooth and fully combined.
4. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl and stir until all of the noodles are evenly coated in the dressing.
5. Add the broccoli, cauliflower, red onion, bacon pieces, and mozzarella cheese. Gently toss everything together until well mixed.
6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1-2 hours before serving so the flavors have time to blend and the salad stays cold and fresh.
If you need a simple cold pasta salad that’s fresh, filling, and easy to make, this Broccoli and Cauliflower Pasta Salad is a good one to keep handy. The combination of pasta and crunchy vegetables keeps it light but still satisfying, making it perfect for cookouts, meal prep, or quick side dishes during busy weeks.
More Pasta Salad Recipes
Broccoli Cauliflower Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz bowtie Pasta noodles
- 3 cups bite size broccoli florets
- 3 cups bite size cauliflower florets
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- 2.5 oz bacon pieces
- ½ cup Mozzarella cheese
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into small bite-sized pieces, then finely dice the red onion. Set everything aside until ready to assemble the salad.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain well, then rinse the pasta under cold water until completely cooled to stop the cooking process.
- While the pasta cooks, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and seasonings in a large mixing bowl until the dressing is smooth and fully combined.
- Add the cooled pasta to the bowl and stir until all of the noodles are evenly coated in the dressing.
- Add the broccoli, cauliflower, red onion, bacon pieces, and mozzarella cheese. Gently toss everything together until well mixed.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1-2 hours before serving so the flavors have time to blend and the salad stays cold and fresh.
