This Broccoli Cobb Pasta Salad takes everything you love about a classic Cobb – crisp bacon, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, tangy feta – and tosses it with perfectly cooked pasta for a cool, satisfying meal. It’s a vibrant twist that’s as perfect for lunch meal prep as it is for weekend BBQs.
The Greek yogurt-based dressing adds a light creaminess without overwhelming the fresh flavors, and the blanched broccoli gives the dish a fresh crunch. It’s hearty enough to be a main, or it can be served as a colorful side for grilled meats or summer potlucks. Either way, it’s sure to be a hit!
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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8 oz rotini pasta (or gluten-free if desired)
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2 cups broccoli florets, blanched
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1 avocado, diced
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2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
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4 slices cooked bacon, chopped
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1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
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1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
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1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Dressing:
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1/3 cup Greek yogurt
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1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
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2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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Salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
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Cook rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool. Set aside.
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In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine pasta, blanched broccoli, cherry tomatoes, avocado, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, feta cheese, and red onion.
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Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
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Garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 390 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Introduction to Broccoli Cobb Pasta Salad
Broccoli Cobb Pasta Salad is a refreshing, hearty, and flavor-packed fusion of two classic dishes: the traditional Cobb salad and a creamy pasta salad. This creative blend not only brings together some of the most-loved elements from each recipe—like bacon, avocado, eggs, and feta—but also introduces broccoli and rotini pasta to give the dish more substance and texture. Perfectly suited for meal prep, picnics, barbecues, and potlucks, this salad has become a go-to choice for anyone looking to enjoy a nutritious yet indulgent dish.
Unlike your typical pasta salad which often leans heavy on mayo-based dressings and single-note ingredients, this recipe balances protein, healthy fats, and fiber with a Greek yogurt dressing that’s both creamy and light. It’s satisfying without feeling overly rich and provides a wonderful contrast between the crisp-tender broccoli, chewy pasta, crispy bacon, and soft avocado.
Why This Salad Works So Well
The brilliance of this Broccoli Cobb Pasta Salad lies in its balance of textures, colors, and flavors. You get the chew of pasta, the crunch of blanched broccoli, the richness of avocado, the saltiness of bacon, and the sharpness of feta—all tied together with a tangy, creamy Greek yogurt dressing. It’s a masterclass in how to build a balanced dish that satisfies your cravings without being overly complicated.
The Greek yogurt dressing is an especially smart touch—it brings probiotics, protein, and a tart creaminess without the heaviness of mayonnaise. It also helps the ingredients hold together better, ensuring that every forkful includes a bit of everything.
A Modern Twist on the Classic Cobb
Traditionally, Cobb salad features rows of bacon, blue cheese, egg, avocado, chicken, and tomato arranged beautifully on a bed of lettuce. While delicious, the original can feel a bit dated or heavy for everyday meals. This recipe modernizes that concept by using pasta as the base and infusing more freshness with broccoli and a yogurt-based dressing.
By swapping out the lettuce for pasta and folding in vibrant vegetables, the salad becomes much more portable, hearty, and suited for a broader variety of occasions. It also opens the door to customization—make it vegetarian by removing the bacon, or bulk it up further with grilled chicken or chickpeas for added protein.
Health Benefits of Broccoli Cobb Pasta Salad
Despite tasting indulgent, this dish is surprisingly nutritious. Broccoli is a powerhouse of vitamins C and K, as well as a great source of fiber and antioxidants. The eggs and Greek yogurt provide high-quality protein, while avocado adds heart-healthy fats and creamy texture.
Pasta, especially if you choose a whole grain or gluten-free variety, provides sustained energy through complex carbs. Bacon, though typically seen as a splurge ingredient, is used here in moderation to deliver just enough smoky, savory flavor without overpowering the dish.
This salad strikes a satisfying balance between health and indulgence. It fits well into many eating styles—especially those focused on whole, fresh ingredients. It can be enjoyed as a full meal on its own or served as a side to grilled meats or plant-based entrées.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
One of the best parts about this Broccoli Cobb Pasta Salad is how well it keeps. It’s designed to be made ahead and enjoyed cold, making it perfect for meal prepping. You can prepare it on a Sunday night and enjoy it for lunch throughout the week without any loss of flavor or texture.
To maintain freshness, especially of delicate ingredients like avocado, you can choose to add the avocado just before serving. The dressing, thanks to the tang of vinegar and yogurt, acts as a natural preservative that helps maintain the overall texture and flavor of the ingredients.
Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge, and it will stay fresh for up to four days. If making in advance, you might want to keep the dressing separate and mix just before eating to keep the salad crisp.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Broccoli Cobb Pasta Salad is a stand-alone dish that can easily satisfy a hungry appetite on its own. However, it also pairs wonderfully with grilled proteins like chicken, steak, tofu, or shrimp. The smoky flavor from the bacon pairs exceptionally well with grilled dishes, while the creamy tangy dressing provides a cooling contrast to spiced or marinated meats.
For a picnic or barbecue, you can serve it alongside grilled corn, fresh fruit salad, or even a light soup. It’s also ideal as a buffet dish since it doesn’t wilt like lettuce-based salads and can sit out for a bit longer without losing its appeal.
To elevate the presentation, serve it in a large, shallow bowl and garnish with extra herbs, a crumble of feta, or even a sprinkle of paprika or cracked black pepper on top.
Customization Ideas
One of the best things about this dish is how adaptable it is:
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Vegetarian version: Skip the bacon and add roasted chickpeas or diced tofu for a plant-based protein boost.
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Low-carb twist: Replace the pasta with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice to lighten the dish.
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Extra greens: Mix in baby spinach, kale, or arugula for added vitamins and volume.
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Different cheeses: Try goat cheese, shredded cheddar, or blue cheese if you want to explore different flavor profiles.
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Vegan-friendly: Use plant-based yogurt and cheese, and replace eggs and bacon with tempeh or seitan for texture and taste.
You can also experiment with the pasta itself—try penne, bowtie, or even orzo for variety in shape and texture. The dressing can also be adjusted—add a bit of honey for sweetness, a squeeze of lemon for extra tang, or fresh dill or basil for herbaceous freshness.
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Recipe
Broccoli Cobb Pasta Salad hits all the right notes—flavorful, filling, colorful, and easy to prepare. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just need a quick weekday lunch, this dish has the flexibility to meet your needs. It offers a nostalgic comfort from its Cobb salad roots while being innovative enough to stand out at any gathering.
Its success lies in being simple but not boring. Each ingredient plays a role in the flavor story, and together they create a dish that’s more than the sum of its parts. Whether you’re a busy parent, a meal prep enthusiast, or just someone looking for new lunch inspiration, this pasta salad is the answer.
Conclusion
Broccoli Cobb Pasta Salad is more than just a mashup of two beloved dishes—it’s a smart, flavorful, and wholesome option that brings together comfort and nutrition in every bite. It’s the kind of recipe that proves you don’t need to choose between healthy and delicious. With just a bit of prep, you can enjoy a dish that feels indulgent while nourishing your body.
This is a salad you’ll want to return to time and time again—not just for its bold flavors, but for how easily it fits into your life. Whether packed for lunch, brought to a potluck, or served at your family dinner table, it delivers on all fronts. Bold, balanced, and beautiful—this salad checks all the boxes.