This Cruciferous Crunch Pasta Salad is the perfect accompaniment to any of your summer dishes. Serve with burgers, chicken etc or take it to work for an easy lunch!
I have such a good short cut for you today. This is a huge time saver and you are going to thank me. The answer is a little something called Cruciferous Crunch!
What the HECK is Cruciferous Crunch?
Cruciferous Crunch is simply a bag of shredded brussels sprouts, red & green cabbage, broccoli & kale. If you follow me on Facebook you know it has been my current obsession and I love that it can be eaten raw or cooked. I've been giving it a quick saute and putting a runny egg on top for a quick and healthy breakfast.
Cruciferous Crunch is a time saver because all the yummy veggies already all chopped and shred so most of the prep is already done for you!
Side note: If you don't have access to a Trader Joe's to buy Cruciferous Crunch, you can use various shred or pre-cut veggies from your local grocery store.
This holiday weekend, I felt like we had to grill even though we weren't entertaining. Our weather has been terrible, so the much needed sunshine we had this weekend called for BBQ food. What is more BBQ food than burgers and pasta salad?
A few things about me and pasta salads. First, you will NEVER find mayo in any of my pasta salads. Second, I need it to be tasty (duh) and third, it has to be EASY! I mean, real easy.
How To Make Cruciferous Crunch Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta & Drain It.
- While pasta is cooking, toss a pint of cherry tomatoes in a skillet, in the oven or air fryer until blistered.
- Place pasta, cruciferous crunch, tomatoes, parmesan cheese (salt & pepper) and Caesar dressing in a bowl and toss.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Do I HAVE to cook the tomatoes?
No. Duh. Do your own thing. My husband doesn't love tomatoes but he tolerates them when they are cooked. So I cook them. If you love tomatoes just as they are, then skip the step, it will save you a few minutes.
GET MORE EASY PASTA SALAD RECIPES
Tortellini Caprese Pasta Salad
Printable Recipe Card
Cruciferous Crunch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz bow tie pasta
- 4 oz cruciferous crunch or similar shred vegetables
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- 2 oz parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 4 oz creamy caesar dressing *see note for recommendation
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.
- Place oil and tomatoes in a large skillet over medium/high heat. Cook, without stirring until starting to blister. Season with salt and pepper and give pan a good shake. Cook until tomatoes are beginning to soften. ***See notes for alternative option
- To the bowl with the pasta, add cruciferous crunch, tomatoes, and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and then stir in the Caesar dressing. Using more or less if desired.
- Taste and add salt and pepper if needed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Instead of blistering tomatoes on the stovetop, you can
- opt to keep tomatoes raw
- roast in the oven, 400 F for about 15 min
- roast in the air fryer 400 F about 5 min
- The dressing I prefer for this is Cardini's Three Cheese Caesar
- As with most of my recipes, it's recommended to use fresh, good quality parmesan cheese from the block, not the bag.
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