This Broccoli and Raisin Pasta Salad is a quick and easy dish perfect for picnics, packed lunches and light dinners. Best eaten al fresco with a glass of white wine!
Pasta salad
Pasta salad can be many things: it can be a light lunch, a hearty dinner, a side dish, it can be hot or it can be cold and it can be packed with a wide range of different ingredients.
This Broccoli and Raisin Pasta Salad is a simple dish with relatively few ingredients but its tastes great and is easy to throw into a tupperware for taking to the beach or a picnic in the park.
You can use any pasta shape you wish but I love farfalle pasta for this dish. I think the flat shape works well with the broccoli florets. The pasta and broccoli is then topped with a creamy dressing made with lemon, pepper, yogurt and vegan mayonnaise. This is then scattered with plump juicy raisins and a handful of crunchy walnuts. To top it all off I serve with more cracked black pepper and a healthy dose of grated vegan parmesan cheese.
From scratch
The beauty of this Broccoli and Raisin Pasta Salad is how easy it is to make. You even cook the broccoli in a steaming basket over the pasta water.
But, if you're feeling extra ambitious, you could make it entirely from scratch (presuming you grow your own broccoli etc).
Here are the recipes you'll need:
The recipe
Broccoli and Raisin Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 350 g farfalle bow-tie pasta
- 1 head broccoli cut into florets
- 6 tablespoon vegan mayonnaise
- 1 lemon juice only
- 1 handful raisins
- 1 handful walnuts
- 2 tablespoon vegan parmesan grated
- Salt and Pepper to season
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the packet's instructions (usually boil for 10 minutes.)
- Steam the broccoli florrets over the pasta water for 5-8 minutes until bright green and tender. Place to one side to cool while the pasta finishes cooking.
- Remove the pasta from the heat once cooked, drain, then run under cold water until pasta is completely cool.
- Transfer the pasta and cooled broccoli to a bowl and add the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and raisins.
- Stir thoroughly until all of the ingredients are combined and coated in the mayonnaise.
- Season to taste before topping the dish with the walnuts and grated parmesan.
Nutrition
More pasta recipes
If you've enjoyed this recipe, why not try one of these delicious pasta salads.
More Italian recipes
For the full range of Italian inspired recipes on my blog, click the image above.
Andrea @ The Petite Cook says
Love your ingredients combination! And the pasta sauce looks so creamy and yummy! Thanks for sharing my summer pasta salad recipe :))
Emma Walton says
My pleasure Andrea. Glad you like it!
Kate | The Veg Space says
Love the look of this. I've recently made some Sicilian pasta with cauliflower and raisins - would have never previously thought of putting raisins in pasta but it really works! This looks delish - will try sometime soon!
Emma Walton says
Thanks Kate! Now I think about it I'd never had raisins and pasta either until this dish!
Broccoli and raisins are a great combo!
nazima says
lovely idea - always good to have some pasta salad ideas for packed lunches
Emma Walton says
They are just so quick and easy! And with plenty of veggies they are a great balanced dish 🙂 I love pasta salads 😛
Elizabeth says
Oh this sounds like proper comfort food this! Gorgeous! 🙂
Emma Walton says
Thanks Elizabeth! There is something very comforting about pasta salad isn't there! Hopefully this is not only delicious and filling but also good for a balanced diet.