BROCCOLI PASTA SALAD FETA CHEESE RECIPE

 BROCCOLI PASTA SALAD  Feta Cheese Recipe

This Broccoli Pasta Salad is the perfect easy side dish for summer barbecues, potlucks and picnics. Made with broccoli, red grapes, pecans, vegan feta, dried cranberries and a homemade Poppyseed dressing. Gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free with grain-free paleo-friendly options. 

EASY GLUTEN-FREE BROCCOLI PASTA SALAD

Looking for a light and healthy lunch for summer potlucks and cookouts? This Broccoli Pasta Salad is easy to make with chopped broccoli, red grapes, pecans, feta, dried cranberries and a homemade Poppy-seed dressing. 

Pasta salads are always a delicious crowd-pleaser and perfect for lunch, a light dinner and spring and summer potlucks, picnics, cookouts and backyard BBQs.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

We love making this healthy Broccoli Pasta Salad ahead of time since it keeps really well in the fridge making it perfect if you’re planning to make this ahead of time for a picnic or a summer barbecue the next day.

• Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free with grain-free and paleo options
• Light, refreshing and perfect for lunch or a light dinner on the patio
• Simple to customize and works great for meal prep

INGREDIENTS YOU NEED

FOR THE HEALTHY PASTA SALAD

• Dried pasta– any gluten-free or grain free pasta brand you like. We love these grain-free pastas from Jovial and Cappello’s. If you are looking for a chickpea or lentil based pasta, you can use Banza pasta shells that are made with chickpeas. For keto, there’s Almond Love or use your favorite low carb pasta you like.

• Broccoli – roughly chopped
• Grapes – cut into halves.
• Cherry or grape tomatoes– cut in half
• Red onion – chopped.
• Cucumbers – chopped.
• Radishes – thinly sliced
• Vegan Feta – We like Violife Vegan Feta. You can omit or use your favorite feta if not dairy-free.
• Toasted pecans – for some crunch. Feel free to use sliced almonds, walnuts or sunflower seeds to keep this vegan pasta salad nut-free.
• Dried cranberries – for sweetness. Feel free to leave them out if you prefer.
• Salt and pepper

FOR THE CREAMY HOMEMADE POPPYSEED DRESSING

• Plain Greek yogurt – use your favorite dairy free plain yogurt; we like Kitehill plain almond milk yogurt or Culina Plain and Simple.
• Apple cider vinegar – you can also use fresh lemon juice or distilled vinegar if that’s what you have on hand.
• Pure maple syrup – or use your favorite sticky liquid sweetener such as Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup, date syrup, coconut flower nectar syrup, liquid monk fruit or honey if not vegan.
• Lemon juice- freshly squeezed
• Olive oil
• Poppyseeds
• Garlic – minced
• Salt and pepper – to taste.

HOW TO MAKE BROCCOLI PASTA SALAD

1. COOK THE GLUTEN-FREE PASTA: Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
2. MAKE THE VINAIGRETTE: Combine all the dressing ingredients together in a resealable jar. Shake well and set aside.
3. COMBINE INGREDIENTS: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked pasta, broccoli, red onions, cucumber, radishes and half of the feta to the bowl.
4. MIX IN VINAIGRETTE: Add the dressing and toss evenly coat. Season as needed with salt and pepper. Cover bowl and chill in the fridge for at least an hour.
5. SERVE: Toss in grapes, pecans, cranberries and more crumbled feta before serving. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately or cover and chill in the fridge.

MAKE AHEAD TIPS

• Cook the pasta ahead of time and store in a large reusable container in the refrigerator.
• Wash and chop the broccoli and tomatoes in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Make the dressing in advance and store in a resealable jar in the refrigerator.

SUMMER PASTA SALADS VARIATIONS

Pasta salads are always a delicious crowd-pleaser and perfect for lunch, a light dinner and spring and summer potlucks, picnics, cookouts and backyard BBQs.

• They’re quick and easy to make and can easily be customized to what you like or have on hand.
• Plus, they work for a variety of diets and can easily be made gluten-free, vegan, low carb, grain-free, keto or paleo depending on the pasta you use which we’ve included suggestions for below in the recipe card.

Want more gluten-free pasta salad recipes? Check out our Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad, Avocado Spinach Pasta Salad, Caprese Pasta Salad, Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad or our Tortellini Pasta Salad.

HOW TO STORE THIS GLUTEN FREE PASTA RECIPE

This easy pasta salad will last in the refrigerator for up to four days, and it is perfect for meal prep. Divide the cooked pasta into reusable airtight containers. This is our favorite lunch container. Here are a few of our other favorites for storing food:

• Glass meal prep containers – Divided containers with 2 compartments are great if you want to include a portion of salad plus a side of protein or fruit.

• Jars with lids – Mason jars are great for portioning out salads and they make your fridge look Pinterest-worthy. We love these reusable plastic jar lids for everything you can put in a jar. And for dressings and sauces, these flip-top lids are a must-have!

• Silicone bags – The great thing about silicone bags is that they can be re-used, are dishwasher-safe and don’t absorb odors. We LOVE stand-up bags from Stasher for their 56-ounce capacity and the fact that they stand up minimizing any risk of leakage.

Ingredients

• 250 grams Macaroni pasta
• 1/2 cup Cherry tomatoes , cut into half
• 1/2 cup Broccoli , cut into small florets
• 1/4 cup Feta Cheese , crumbled
For dressing
• 4 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 Stalks Parsley leaves , finely chopped
• 2 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 Lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Whole Black Peppercorns , freshly pounded
• Salt , to taste 
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Whole Black Peppercorns , freshly pounded
• Salt , to taste 

How to make Pasta Salad With Broccoli & Feta Cheese Recipe

1. To begin making Pasta Salad With Broccoli & Feta Cheese Recipe,

To Cook the Pasta

1. In a large pot, add water and bring it to a boil. Once the water has boiled, add a teaspoon of salt.

2. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until the pasta is cooked till al dente (just cooked). This process should take a good 12-15 minutes to get an al dente pasta.

3. Once the pasta has cooked, drain the water and run the cooked pasta under running water to stop the cooking process and prevent the pasta from sticking to each other.

4. Drizzle some oil on top of pasta and make sure to coat all of the pasta with the oil so that the pasta doesn't stick to each other.

To Make the Pasta Salad With Broccoli & Feta Cheese Recipe

1. Cook the broccoli florets in a pressure cooker with 2 tablespoon of water for 1 whistle and immediately remove the pressure under running tap water, this is done to keep the broccoli fresh and tender. 

2. In a small mixing bowl, prepare the dressing by adding parsley leaves, oregano, lemon juice, crushed peppercorns, salt along with olive oil. Whisk well until it combines. 

3. Take a large mixing bowl, add cooked pasta (cold/at room temperature), veggies - broccoli, cherry tomatoes,crumbled feta cheese and dressing to it. Toss everything together gently and adjust the seasoning.

4. Serve Pasta Salad With Broccoli & Feta Cheese Recipe Roasted Vegetable Pizza Pockets, Cream of Celery Soup and Yogurt Panna Cotta to make a complete weekend dinner menu.