Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad

Name: Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1/2 cup light mayonnaise or spreadable salad dressing; 1/3 cup milk; 1 tablespoon cider vinegar; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups uncooked radiatore (nuggets) pasta (5 oz); 8 slices bacon, crispy cooked and crumbled; 2 cups small broccoli florets; 1 cup small cauliflower florets; 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion; 1/4 cup golden raisins; 3 tablespoons shelled sunflower seeds

Prep time:30 min
Total time:60 min
Ingredients:12
Servings:8
Calories per serving:210

By Pillsbury Kitchens(Opens in a new tab)Updated 08/31/2023

Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad

Prep time:30 min
Total time:60 min
Ingredients:12
Servings:8
Calories per serving:210

It’s no secret why this pretty salad is so popular: It’s the perfect combination of creamy, sweet and bacon-y. Plus it’s full of crunchy texture—so satisfying! And you know what makes it even more delicious and hearty? Bouncy radiatore pasta.

What’s in Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad?

In the classic version of the salad, it’s made with broccoli florets, bacon, raisins and sunflower seeds. The dressing is a creamy affair made with mayonnaise, vinegar, red onions and sugar. That said, you’ll find many, many versions out there.

For our version, we stay pretty true to the original, but we throw in some cauliflower for extra crunch, some yellow raisins for sweet-tart flavor and of course the radiatore pasta. We love this pasta shape in a summer salad because its ruffled spirals catch and hold the vinaigrette, so every bite of salad is delicious.

What should I serve with Sunny Broccoli Salad?

Between the veggies, the pasta and sunflower seeds, Sunny Broccoli Salad is almost a complete meal. We’d recommend serving it with your favorite grillable protein—chicken, salmon or even sausages.

Whatever you choose, this pasta salad recipe will be perfect for all the grilling holidays from the Fourth of July to Labor Day. Both broccoli and cauliflower are nice sturdy veggies that travel well, so you can bring it to a gathering, and it will stay fresh and appetizing.

Sunny Broccoli Salad is such a family favorite, we’d pull it out for everyday weeknight grilling too. Bonus: If you have leftovers, it makes an amazing lunch.

Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad

Prep time:30 min
Total time:60 min
Ingredients:12
Servings:8
Calories per serving:210

Ingredient

Dressing

1/2 cup light mayonnaise or spreadable salad dressing
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Salad

1 1/2 cups uncooked radiatore (nuggets) pasta (5 oz)
8 slices bacon, crispy cooked and crumbled
2 cups small broccoli florets
1 cup small cauliflower florets
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup golden raisins
3 tablespoons shelled sunflower seeds

Instructions

Step 1
In small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients; blend with wire whisk until smooth. Refrigerate while cooking pasta.

Step 2
Cook pasta to desired doneness as directed on package.

Step 3
Drain; rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well.

Step 4
In large bowl, combine cooked pasta and all remaining salad ingredients.

Step 5
Pour dressing over salad; toss gently to coat.

Step 6
Cover; refrigerate at least 30 minutes to blend flavors.

Recipe Tips

If you can’t find radiatore pasta at your local grocery store, you can use one of the other spiral pastas, like rotini or fusilli. Why the focus on spirals? That shape is really good at hanging onto the dressing, so every bite of salad is delicious. Plus, they’re bite-size, which makes them fork friendly—and very pretty with the florets and other goodies in the salad.
Save time and avoid heating up the kitchen by purchasing precooked bacon. Look for it in the refrigerated or deli sections of your local grocery store.
Mayonnaise or spreadable salad dressing—what’s the difference? They're both thick, creamy dressings that contain vegetable oil, lemon juice or vinegar and seasonings. Mayonnaise also contains egg yolk and is less sweet than salad dressing. They can be used interchangeably in this Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad, so you decide which one you prefer!

Nutrition Facts

Calories
210
Total Fat
11g
Protein
6g
Total Carbohydrate
22g
Sugars
6g

Servings: 8

Serving Size: ¾ Cup

Amount Per Serving Calories : 210

Nutrition Facts
Food Component / Nutrient	Amount	% , Daily Value*
Total Fat	11g	17%
Saturated Fat	2g	10%
Cholesterol	10mg	3%
Sodium	390mg	16%
Total Carbohydrate	22g	7%
Dietary Fiber	2g	8%
Sugars	6g	% Value Not Available
Protein	6g	% Value Not Available
Calcium	Value Not Available	4%
Iron	Value Not Available	8%
Vitamin A	Value Not Available	15%
Vitamin C	Value Not Available	45%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Exchanges

Starch 1&½,
Fat 2

Loading component...

Try These Next

Loading component...

Family-friendly meals made easy!

Make everyday family moments count, with easy recipes that everyone will love. Join our email community to receive tested recipes and tips.

What’s in Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad?

What should I serve with Sunny Broccoli Salad?

Sunny Broccoli Salad is such a family favorite, we’d pull it out for everyday weeknight grilling too. Bonus: If you have leftovers, it makes an amazing lunch.

Recipe Tips

If you can’t find radiatore pasta at your local grocery store, you can use one of the other spiral pastas, like rotini or fusilli. Why the focus on spirals? That shape is really good at hanging onto the dressing, so every bite of salad is delicious. Plus, they’re bite-size, which makes them fork friendly—and very pretty with the florets and other goodies in the salad.

Save time and avoid heating up the kitchen by purchasing precooked bacon. Look for it in the refrigerated or deli sections of your local grocery store.

Mayonnaise or spreadable salad dressing—what’s the difference? They're both thick, creamy dressings that contain vegetable oil, lemon juice or vinegar and seasonings. Mayonnaise also contains egg yolk and is less sweet than salad dressing. They can be used interchangeably in this Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad, so you decide which one you prefer!

Nutrition Facts

Food Component / Nutrient

Amount

% , Daily Value*

Total Fat

11g

17%

Saturated Fat

10%

Cholesterol

10mg

Sodium

390mg

16%

Total Carbohydrate

22g

Dietary Fiber

Sugars

% Value Not Available

Protein

% Value Not Available

Calcium

Value Not Available

Iron

Value Not Available

Vitamin A

Value Not Available

15%

Vitamin C

Value Not Available

45%

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Loading component...

Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad

Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad

What’s in Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad?

What should I serve with Sunny Broccoli Salad?

Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad