Broccoli and Pasta Salad

The first time I saw Broccoli and Pasta salad, I felt it could easily be mistaken for mac and  cheese. It did look like mac and cheese but with a big difference, there was broccoli and tomatoes. But, mac and cheese does not come with vegetables. All ingredients in this recipe are fresh and are prepared at home. No box of pasta with a gooey cheese substitute here.

I should say, that there are a lot of other similarities between mac and cheese and this broccoli and pasta salad. Both are one-pot dishes. Children love both.  Yet, the two are different in other ways. The natural colour of the salad comes from the tomatoes.  The sweet taste comes from the onions sauteed in the butter.  The slight crunch comes from the vegetables.

Broccoli and Pasta Salad – A Kid Friendly Recipe

Your kid would love this recipe.  It is  a another simple recipe, a kid friendly recipe.  Children will beg to make this often.  Their parents would breathe a sigh of relief knowing it is not another highly processed food.  It is always a good idea to encourage your children to eat healthy foods.  Don’t wait to do this to late.  The child could be set in their ways.

Your goal should be to wean your kids towards healthier alternatives of their favourite prepackaged or processed foods, this is definitely a great way to begin their process towards healthy eating.    It is a challenge.  You would accomplish a few other family goals:  you would be able to bring your family together, and have the younger ones help in the kitchen. Here is a broccoli and pasta salad recipe for them to follow. Enjoy!

BROCCOLI AND PASTA SALAD

2 cups pasta (shell or elbow)
1/2 tbsp. grated garlic
1/4 cup corn kernels
1 tomato, chopped
1 tbsp. tomato paste
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup grated cheese
1 cup broccoli chopped
2 tbsp. butter or olive oil
1 tsp oregano
Salt to taste

Boil pasta according to directions on packet. Drain and set aside.
Next, heat olive oil or butter.   Add the garlic…

…and the rest of the vegetables.  Saute for five minutes.

Add tomato paste…

… and oregano. Mix well.

Add milk….

pasta…

  …and cheese.

 Mix well. Adjust salt to taste. Serve hot.

Print

Broccoli and Pasta Salad

Course Salads

Cuisine Fusion

Author Felix (Simply Trini Cooking)

Ingredients

• 2 cups pasta shell or elbow
• 1/2 tbsp. grated garlic
• 1/4 cup corn kernels
• 1 to mato chopped
• 1 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup grated cheese
• 1 cup broccoli chopped
• 2 tbsp. butter or olive oil
• 1 tsp oregano
• Salt to taste

Instructions

• Boil pasta according to directions on packet. Drain and set aside.
• Next, heat olive oil or butter.
• Add the garlic and the rest of the vegetables. Saute for five minutes.
• Add tomato paste and oregano. Mix well.
• Add milk, pasta and cheese.
• Mix well. Adjust salt to taste. Serve hot.

This broccoli and pasta salad goes great with a baked barbecue chicken and green salad. As usual feel free to leave a comment. Coming up next: we have another local ice cream recipe.

Ah gone 🙂