Pasta salad with broccoli and pesto
A fresh and flavorful pasta recipe with homemade basil pesto, tender broccoli, and creamy mozzarella - the perfect quick and comforting meal.
Updated : 26 August, 2025
Easy
About 30 min.
Ingredients
400 grams
Pasta
350 grams
Broccoli
150 grams
Mozzarella
For the pesto
handful
Basil
1
Garlic
20 grams
Pine nuts
75 milliliters
Olive oil
40 grams
Parmesan
to taste
Salt
to taste
Ground black pepper
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
To make the pesto, place the basil and garlic in a food processor (or crush with a pestle and mortar) along with a generous pinch of salt. Blend or pound into a coarse green paste. Add the pine nuts and continue blending or crushing until combined. Pour in the oil, mixing until smooth, then stir in the cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
Step 2
Cook the pasta in a large pan of salted boiling water according to the packet instructions. Add the broccoli during the final 7 minutes of cooking. Once cooked, drain the pasta and broccoli, run under cold water for 1 minute to cool, then drain thoroughly.
Step 3
Combine the pesto with the pasta and broccoli, allowing the broccoli to gently break down and add a creamy texture to the dish. Stir in the mozzarella and finish with extra salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper before serving.