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Home » Meals » Side Dishes » Lemon Broccoli Pasta Salad

Lemon Broccoli Pasta Salad

June 4, 2025Leave a Comment

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Fresh and bright! Lemon Broccoli Pasta Salad is a chilled side dish with farfalle, broccoli, and a lemony garlic dressing. Great for spring and summer! via @thiswifecooks

Lemon Broccoli Pasta Salad is an easy and zesty side dish with farfalle, broccoli, and a quick lemon-garlic dressing. Serve with BBQ Burgers or veggie sandwiches. 

A white plate filled with bow-tie pasta, broccoli florets, and thinly sliced red onions, all seasoned with black pepper, sits on a white surface with a blurred green background.

Table of Contents

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  • Cold Pasta Salad with Lemon and Broccoli
  • Ingredients for Lemon Broccoli Pasta Salad
  • How to Make Lemon Broccoli Pasta Salad
    • Optional Add-Ins
    • Make It Vegan 🌱
  • Storage
  • More Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Lemon Broccoli Pasta Salad Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Nutrition

Cold Pasta Salad with Lemon and Broccoli

This pasta salad brings together simple, fresh ingredients in the best way—bright lemon, crisp broccoli, and tender farfalle, all tossed in a light dressing that’s bold but not overpowering. It’s a good recipe to have on hand for summer gatherings. 

As a home cook, I like having side dishes that feel fresh and easy to make ahead. This dish is simple to prep, travels well for potlucks and picnics, and improves as it sits. No mayo —just clean flavors and satisfying texture in every bite.

A white plate filled with bowtie pasta mixed with broccoli florets and thinly sliced red onions, lightly seasoned with black pepper.

Ingredients for Lemon Broccoli Pasta Salad

You will need the following:

  • Olive Oil – Acts as the base for the dressing and coats the pasta nicely without weighing it down.
  • Lemon Juice + Zest – Adds acidity and brightness. The zest helps carry the lemon throughout the dish.
  • Shallot – Thinly sliced for a mild onion flavor that softens in the dressing.
  • Garlic – Raw and minced; adds sharpness to balance the lemon.
  • Kosher Salt + Black Pepper – Basic seasonings to round everything out.
  • Farfalle Pasta – This bow-tie pasta shape holds the dressing well and keeps things visually fun. Any ridged shape will work – rigatoni, campanelle, and rotini pasta are all good with this recipe.
  • Fresh Broccoli Florets – Blanched right in the pasta water to save time and dishes.

How to Make Lemon Broccoli Pasta Salad

STEP ONE: Make the dressing. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, shallot, garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

STEP TWO: Cook the pasta and broccoli. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle and cook until al dente, according to package directions. During the last 2–3 minutes, stir in the broccoli florets. Drain everything and rinse with cold water to cool quickly.

STEP THREE: Combine.
Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the bowl with the lemon dressing. Toss gently until evenly coated.

STEP FOUR: Serve. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve at room temperature.

Optional Add-Ins

These ingredients mix in easily and pair well with the lemon and broccoli combo:

  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes – Add a sweet-tart bite and chewy texture.
  • Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans – For extra protein and a hearty feel.
  • Crumbled Feta Cheese – Salty and tangy, regular or dairy-free feta works especially well if you’re serving this with grilled mains.

Make It Vegan 🌱

  • This recipe is naturally vegan—no adjustments needed.
Close-up of a plate of bow tie pasta mixed with broccoli florets, thinly sliced red onions, and black pepper, garnished with lemon zest. A silver fork and lemon slices are visible on the side.

Storage

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Stir and add a drizzle of olive oil, if needed, before serving.

More Recipes You’ll Love!

  • Lemon Basil Pasta Salad
  • Roasted Zucchini Pasta
  • Cucumber Ranch Pasta Salad
  • Pesto Broccoli Salad
  • Caprese Pasta Salad

Save this recipe to Pinterest! ⤵️📌

A close-up of bowtie pasta salad mixed with broccoli florets, red onions, and black pepper, served on a white plate. Text overlay reads: Lemon Broccoli Pasta Salad.

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A white plate filled with bowtie pasta mixed with broccoli florets and thinly sliced red onions, lightly seasoned with black pepper.

Lemon Broccoli Pasta Salad Recipe

an easy, zesty side dish made with farfalle, crisp-tender broccoli, and a lemon-garlic dressing. Serve chilled or at room temp.
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: broccoli pasta salad, lemon broccoli pasta salad, no mayo pasta salad, summer pasta salad, vegan pasta salad
Servings: 8
Calories: 355kcal
Author: Holly Gray
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 6 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup shallot thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 16 ounces farfalle pasta by weight
  • 4 cups broccoli florets

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, shallot, garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle and cook until al dente, according to package directions. During the last 2–3 minutes, stir in the broccoli florets. Drain everything and rinse with cold water to cool quickly.
  • Add the drained pasta and broccoli to the bowl with the lemon dressing. Toss gently until evenly coated.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste and serve at room temperature or chill for later.

Nutrition

Calories: 355kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 311mg | Potassium: 315mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 286IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @thiswifecooks or tag #thiswifecooks!
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Filed Under: make-ahead, Mother's Day, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged With: broccoli, cold pasta, dairy-free, make-ahead, potluck, quick and easy, vegan, vegetarian

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Hi, I’m Holly! I’m a busy wife and mom. I love cooking for my family and sharing creative and flavorful plant-based recipes.

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