Introduction: Cafe-Style Broccoli & Feta Pasta Salad

About: I’m a self-trained cook, cooking (and blogging about it!) for myself and my husband in our condo. Cue the cozy domesticity!

When I was at university, I had a friend who went to live with her sister in Calgary for a summer. She worked at a café and brought back this recipe for pasta salad. It’s super-easy and very delicious. Whenever I’ve served it, I’ve had positive reviews.

I usually serve this pasta salad on top of a bed of lettuce. More fibre, fewer calories, and more nutrients! Why am I all up in the fibre? This explains why: http://goo.gl/lcmbpV.

Now let's make us some pasta salad!

Step 1: The Ingredients

Café Style Broccoli and Feta Pasta Salad

  • 2 cups pasta
  • 1 head broccoli
  • 1 cup feta cheese
  • 1 red pepper
  • 1/2 cup three-cheese ranch dressing

Step 2: The Recipe Instructions

Boil pasta. While pasta is cooking, chop up broccoli, and toss in pasta pot for the last two to three minutes of cooking. Drain broccoli and pasta and let cool. When cool, add in chopped red pepper, crumbled feta cheese, and ranch dressing. Toss and serve. If refrigerating and serving in a few hours or next day, add extra dressing just before serving, as the pasta absorbs it.

Pro Tip: When cooking pasta, if you add a drizzle of olive oil to the water, it’s less likely to boil over.

Step 3: The Finished Product

Easy, tasty, and healthy! Except perhaps for the ranch dressing, but that’s ok, everything in moderation, right? I will say, the salad is best with a full-fat Three-Cheese Ranch Dressing, as opposed to a low-fat one, so keep that in mind! And enjoy!