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broccoli caesar pasta salad

Broccoli Caesar Pasta Salad

Everything you love about Caesar salad, tossed with pasta for the best meal-prepped lunch or BBQ side.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Serves 2 people

Ingredients
  

Broccoli Caesar Pasta Salad

  • 8 oz pasta
  • 1 head broccoli raw or quickly blanched, chopped
  • Avocado chopped
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • Fresh herbs I like green onions + basil
  • Garnish: finely grated parmesan + the breadcrumbs

Caesar Dressing

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for lighter option - or I like doing half/half!
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove finely minced/grated
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce or anchovy paste
  • ½ cup Parmesan finely grated
  • Salt + black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and blanch for about 30 seconds, just until they turn bright green. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking.
  • In the same pot, cook your pasta until tender. Drain, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking, and toss with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking.
  • While the pasta boils, melt the butter in a small sauté pan. Add your breadcrumbs—I like pulsing stale bread in a food processor for a slightly rustic texture. Toast until golden, then season with salt.
  • Make the dressing: whisk together all the ingredients until smooth. If it’s too thick, add a bit of lemon juice to loosen it up. If it’s too thin, stir in a little extra Greek yogurt or mayo.
  • Pat the blanched broccoli dry and roughly chop. Dice the avocado, slice the green onions, and chop the basil.
  • To assemble, combine the pasta, broccoli, herbs, avocado, and the dressing. Toss well to mix.
  • Finish with the breadcrumbs and some more parmesan cheese.