This broccoli pasta salad made with oven-roasted broccoli is everything I love in a light, creamy and satisfying dish without the mayo. The tahini dressing adds a nutty, tangy flavour and gives off serious caesar dressing vibes, while being vegan. Ready in just 25 minutes and made from pantry staples, this quick broccoli recipe works perfectly for meal prep, potlucks or an easy weeknight dinner.
What You’ll Need for Creamy Pasta Salad with Broccoli
A fresh and flavourful roasted broccoli and pasta salad starts with just a handful of simple ingredients and a creamy, tangy dressing. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pasta – Fusilli, rotini, or any shape that holds dressing well.
- Broccoli – Roasted for added depth and sweetness.
- Tahini-based dressing – Tahini, lemon juice, Dijon, garlic, and olive oil create creamy richness without dairy or mayo.
- Flavour boosters – Maple syrup for balance, nutritional yeast for umami, and fresh chives for garnish.
Pro Tip: Simply swap broccoli for cauliflower or toss in roasted chickpeas for extra protein!n.
How to Make This Broccoli Pasta Salad
This simple broccoli and pasta salad is straightforward and quick making it ideal for busy days or when you want something comforting and nourishing with minimal fuss. Here’s the basic idea:
- Roast your broccoli until crispy and golden brown at the edges.
- Boil your pasta just until al dente, then cool slightly.
- Whisk up the tahini dressing until smooth and pourable.
- Toss everything together in a large bowl—pasta, dressing, roasted broccoli.
- Serve now or chill for later—either way, it’s delicious.
The full measurements and instructions are waiting for you in the printable recipe card below!nt.
Why You’ll Love This Roasted Broccoli and Pasta Salad
If you’re looking for a quick recipe for broccoli and fresh take on pasta salad, this creamy vegan version checks all the right boxes. It’s simple, nourishing, incredibly delicious and completely mayo free. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your regular recipe rotation:
- Flavour-packed & no mayo needed – A tahini-based vegan caesar-style dressing delivers creamy, rich flavour without any dairy.
- Quick and easy – From start to finish, it comes together in about 25 minutes.
- Leftover friendly – Holds up beautifully in the fridge for a couple of days, making it great for lunch prep.
- Wholesome and plant based – Made with real, nourishing ingredients that just happen to be vegan.
- Endlessly adaptable – Toss in greens, toasted seeds, or whatever roasted veggies are on hand.
If you love the simple plant-forward vibes of this pasta salad, here are a few more recipes to keep on your radar:
- Vegan Caesar Pasta Salad – A hearty, plant-based twist on the classic with pasta, greens, and bold vegan no-mayo tahini-based caesar dressing.
- Fennel Caesar Salad – Shaved fennel and greens tossed in a light caesar-style dressing.
- Classic Caesar Salad with Roasted Chicken – A traditional caesar salad featuring romaine lettuce, radicchio, homemade croutons, parmesan cheese, and rotisserie chicken, all tossed with a classic caesar dressing.
- Broccoli Pasta Salad with Buttermilk Dressing – Another quick recipe with broccoli in a pasta salad with roasted broccoli, tossed in a fresh herb and buttermilk dressing. Great for BBQs and picnics.
Pasta Salad with Roasted Broccoli (No Mayo!)
This creamy broccoli pasta salad is a quick and easy vegan recipe made with roasted broccoli, pasta, and a flavour-packed tahini dressing. Perfect for a summer picnics, meal prep or a light, healthy dinner.
I’d love your feedback – just click on the stars to rate this recipe! ⭐
Ingredients
For the pasta salad:
- 350 g dry pasta (e.g. fusilli or spirals)
- 400 head of broccoli, cut into small florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives (optional, for garnish)
For the tahini dressing:
- 2 tablespoons tahini (well-stirred)
- 1 tablespoon grainy Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 5 tablespoons water, or more as needed
Method
-
Roast the Broccoli: Preheat oven to 220°C / 425°F (200°C fan-assisted). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss broccoli florets with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread in a single layer and roast for 10–15 minutes, until tender and slightly charred.
-
Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, rinse briefly under cold water, and set aside.
-
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, mustard, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, maple syrup, nutritional yeast, and olive oil. Gradually add water and whisk until smooth and pourable. Add more water if needed to reach desired consistency.
-
Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, toss pasta with the dressing until evenly coated. Add roasted broccoli and mix gently to incorporate. Garnish with chopped chives, if using.
-
Serve & Enjoy: Serve immediately or chill for later. This salad tastes great cold or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Notes
- Nutritional yeast gives the dressing a rich, savoury depth. Think of it as the vegan stand-in for parmesan. It’s packed with B vitamins and protein, making it a smart staple for any vegan pantry.
For a relaxing atmosphere in the kitchen I recommend my personal Elle Republic: Chilled Out Kitchen Tunes Playlist on Spotify.
Did you try this Pasta Salad with Roasted Broccoli recipe?
Did you try this Pasta Salad with Roasted Broccoli recipe?Then tag @ellerepublic on Instagram and hashtag it #ellerepublic
How did you like it?
Please let me know how this Broccoli Pasta Salad recipe turned out for you! I would love to hear how you liked it. Simply rate it with the stars above ⭐ or leave me a comment and rate it below.
Did you make any changes to this recipe?
If you have tips for other readers, let me know! It helps me and other readers so much. Sharing is Caring :-).
This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through my link, Amazon will pay me a commission for it. This doesn’t cost you anything additional and the price remains the same.
