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February152011

Easy Broccoli Pasta Salad

Before I get to this delicious pasta salad, I have to show you what M came home with from school yesterday. Her class made Valentine gifts for us. The first is her tiny handprint on a white tile. I think it’s suppose to be a coaster? Not sure. Maybe a hot plate? Either way its adorable.

The second in came in this little box…

The box reads…

A Valentine Hug to you

Wrap these hands around you

Whenever I’m away so you can

have a hug from me anytime of day!

It’s her two little hands tied at the ends of a string that’s the entire length of her wing span. So it’s like a little hug. So cute! This made me smile the rest of the day 🙂

After I opened M’s gift I made a couple of salads. My favorite (and regular) lunch at home is a turkey sandwich with some sort of side salad.  Each week I like to make one or two side salad’s to have on hand. This week I’ll be showing you my two favorites.  Today it’s Easy Broccoli Pasta Salad. I love this salad because its so simple yet so flavorful. Bonus is M loves it too 🙂

Here’s how to make this simple salad….

Step 1:

I like to use Barilla Plus Rotini for this salad.

Step 2:

Step 3:

If you’re not a huge fan of onions you can use one instead of two.

Step 4:

The pine nuts can be toasted before hand for added flavor. If you don’t have time to toast them, the salad still tastes great with them plain.

Step 5:

Stir in olive oil until mixed though.

Step 6:

Add salt & pepper to taste. I start out with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper, then add more to taste if needed.

Store the salad in an airtight container and chill for at least 2 hours before serving. The longer this chills, the better it tastes.

This salad will last up to a week.

This can also be made into a meal by adding some chicken or salmon to the mix 🙂

21 Responses

  1. Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) said on February 15, 2011 at 7:22 am

    I love pasta salads, but I don’t really make them much any more. I have no idea why. I think I got burned out on them when I was pregnant with Jay. This one looks so good! I think I need to get back in to them again. Love the hands…those kinds of things are so sweet.

  2. Heather (Heather's Dish) said on February 15, 2011 at 7:51 am

    i haven’t had a pasta salad in weeks…i’ll have to try this version! so pretty and green 🙂

  3. Blog is the New Black said on February 15, 2011 at 8:06 am

    This does look easy- LOVE the addition of pine nuts for flavor and crunch!

  4. Amanda said on February 15, 2011 at 8:16 am

    Yummmmm, so healthy and delicious looking. Just think, in a year, you’ll have another valentine 😀

  5. Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman said on February 15, 2011 at 9:14 am

    I love pasta salad because it’s so easy! However, it’s been forever since I’ve eaten pine nuts. I hear about how rotten ones can leave a metallic taste in your mouth for months and it freaked me out.

    (That paper “hug” is such a cute idea!)

  6. Jen @ keepitsimplefoods said on February 15, 2011 at 9:41 am

    The pasta salad looks great! The tiny Valentine’s hands are so adorable they are making me weepy. I’m a sap.

  7. Elizabeth@The Sweet Life said on February 15, 2011 at 9:43 am

    I love, love the handprint on the tile! Precious.

  8. Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama} said on February 15, 2011 at 9:45 am

    I love having salads that I can make ahead of time for lunch. This looks fresh and tasty!

  9. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said on February 15, 2011 at 9:59 am

    I love how vibrant the broccoli is here!!

    And those hands– TOO sweet!

  10. Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) said on February 15, 2011 at 10:24 am

    When I’m doing my regular routine with making a meal plan and shopping and prepping on Sunday, I always make at leats one side salad for B and I to eat that week. I try and make a little something different everytime depending what I brought home from the store.

  11. Nicole, RD said on February 15, 2011 at 11:28 am

    I adore pasta salads, this looks wonderful! Simple and wonderful!

  12. Barbara said on February 15, 2011 at 11:31 am

    What’s not to love…pasta and broccoli!!! I will have to make this for Erin and myself!

  13. Barbara said on February 15, 2011 at 11:33 am

    …by the way….LOVE the handprint and the “hug”….those were always my favorites from my kids!

  14. lynn @ the actor's diet said on February 15, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    that looks delicious. question – no acid?!?

  15. Estela - Weekly Bite said on February 15, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    I never used any acid with this recipe and it tastes great every time. Red wine vinegar would be a nice addition 🙂

  16. Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons said on February 15, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    just added broccoli to the grocery list =) love it!

    and omggg the handprint tile is adorable!!! I would seal it with gloss varnish and use it as a coaster! <3

  17. emily (a nutritionist eats) said on February 15, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    I love how simple this is!
    That little wingspan is SUCH a cute idea! How precious!

  18. Joanna Sutter (Fitness & Spice) said on February 16, 2011 at 6:15 am

    I love, love, love that little hug. What a gift!

  19. Chicago Cuisine Critique said on February 16, 2011 at 10:28 am

    What adorable gifts! And that pasta salad sounds delicious, and oddly enough I have all of those ingredients in my fridge/pantry. 🙂

  20. Kristina Vanni said on February 17, 2011 at 12:32 am

    Wonderful recipe! Pasta + broccoli is one of my favorite go-to meals. I will try this version next time!

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