Broccoli Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes – A Bowl of Sunshine for Busy Days

Name: Broccoli Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 12 oz short pasta (fusilli or penne); 3 cups broccoli florets; 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, sliced; 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste; 2 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped

INAYA 6 hours ago

0 0 4 minutes read

Broccoli Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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The Story & Intro

Hi, I’m INAYA, 38, from the beautiful island of Crete in Greece. Cooking has been part of my life since I was a child, learning from my grandmother how to make traditional Greek dishes full of love and flavor. I believe food brings people together, especially women who want to share warmth and happiness through cooking.

When I make broccoli pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes, I always think of those long afternoons when the Cretan sun felt too heavy to cook anything warm. My grandmother used to say, “Inaya mou, some dishes are meant to cool your hands and your heart.” This broccoli pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes became one of those dishes for me.

I remember standing in her small kitchen, the windows open, the smell of olive oil and herbs floating in the air. She never measured much, but she always tasted. That’s how I learned to trust my hands and my heart. Today, when I make broccoli pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes, I still hear her voice reminding me that food doesn’t need to be complicated to be special.

I make this broccoli pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes when I want something fresh, colorful, and comforting at the same time. It fits perfectly into busy days, family lunches, or quiet evenings when I just want a big bowl and a fork.

Cooking is about more than just food it’s about sharing stories and making memories. This salad carries many of mine.

Why I Love Making This Recipe

I love this recipe because it feels generous. It gives a lot without asking too much from me. I boil pasta, chop broccoli, open a jar of sun-dried tomatoes, and suddenly I have something that looks like I tried very hard.

Broccoli pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes balances freshness and richness so beautifully. The broccoli stays crisp, the pasta feels soft and comforting, and the sun-dried tomatoes bring that deep, almost sweet intensity that makes every bite exciting.

I also love how forgiving this recipe feels. If I add more olive oil, it forgives me. If I forget the garlic, it still tastes good. This is the kind of dish that supports you on tired days.

Ingredients & Little Kitchen Secrets

I always say ingredients matter, but love matters more. Still, good ingredients make everything easier.

I use short pasta because it hugs the dressing better. Fusilli or penne works beautifully.
I cut the broccoli into small florets so every bite feels balanced.
I choose sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil because they feel softer and richer.
I add garlic, but gently, because I want warmth, not sharpness.
I finish with lemon juice because acidity wakes everything up.

My little secret always stays the same: I reserve some pasta water. A splash makes the salad silky and ties everything together.

How I Make It, Step by Step

I start by bringing a big pot of salted water to a boil. I always salt generously because pasta needs flavor from the inside. I add the pasta and cook it until just tender.

While the pasta cooks, I prepare the broccoli. I cut it small and blanch it quickly in boiling water. I want it bright green and slightly crisp, never soft. I drain it and let it cool.

I chop the sun-dried tomatoes into thin strips. I mince the garlic finely so it melts into the dressing.

I whisk olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a big bowl. I add the garlic and let it rest for a minute so it softens.

I add the drained pasta while it’s still warm. I toss gently so the dressing coats everything. Then I add the broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes and mix again.

I taste. I always taste. Sometimes I add more lemon, sometimes more olive oil.

I finish with grated cheese and fresh herbs. Then I let the salad rest. This step matters because flavors need time to meet.

How I Serve It at Home

At home, I serve this broccoli pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes slightly warm or at room temperature. I place it in a big ceramic bowl in the middle of the table.

Sometimes I add grilled chicken or chickpeas if I want something more filling. Other times, I serve it with crusty bread and call it dinner.

My family always goes back for seconds, and that tells me everything.

Storage, Reheating & Make-Ahead Tips

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
If it feels dry the next day, I add a little olive oil or lemon juice.
I never microwave it too much because I want the broccoli to stay alive and green.

This salad works beautifully as a make-ahead dish, which makes it perfect for gatherings.

100-Word Short Version

This broccoli pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes feels fresh, comforting, and easy. I cook pasta, blanch broccoli, and toss everything with olive oil, lemon, garlic, and rich sun-dried tomatoes. The flavors balance beautifully, and the salad works warm or cold. I love how flexible it feels for busy days or family meals. It stores well, tastes even better the next day, and always brings color to the table. This is one of those recipes that feels like home without any stress.

Recipe Card Section

⏱️ Time
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

🛒 Ingredients
Short pasta, broccoli florets, sun-dried tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, grated cheese, salt, black pepper, fresh herbs

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Cook pasta in salted water until tender.
Blanch broccoli until bright green.
Whisk olive oil, lemon, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Toss pasta with dressing.
Add broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes.
Finish with cheese and herbs.

📝 Notes
Taste and adjust before serving.

🍽️ Nutrition
Comforting, balanced, and full of vegetables 🥦🍝

Conclusion

Every time I make this broccoli pasta salad with sun-dried tomatoes, I feel grounded. It reminds me that food doesn’t need to be loud to be beautiful. It just needs honesty. I hope this dish brings ease, color, and warmth into your kitchen, just like it does in mine.