Description
This Broccoli Grape Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish that perfectly balances crunchy broccoli, sweet grapes, savory bacon, and a creamy tangy dressing. Ideal for potlucks or a refreshing side, this salad comes together quickly and is best served chilled after marinating to meld all the fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 8 oz bowtie pasta
- 1 pound fresh broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- ½ cup diced red onion
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to cool slightly.
- Make Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, red wine vinegar, and salt until smooth and well combined to create a creamy and tangy dressing.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, mix together the cooked pasta, chopped broccoli florets, pecans, halved grapes, chopped cooked bacon, and diced red onion. Toss these ingredients gently to distribute them evenly.
- Add Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss everything carefully to coat all the salad ingredients with the dressing for full flavor coverage.
- Chill Salad: Cover the salad bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. This chilling step allows the flavors to meld and the salad to become refreshingly cool.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, optionally garnish with additional cooked bacon pieces for extra crunch and flavor. Serve chilled as a delicious side dish or light meal.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh, crisp broccoli and sweet red seedless grapes.
- Can be made a day ahead to enhance flavors and save time before serving.
- Feel free to substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- Bacon adds smoky richness; for a vegetarian version, omit bacon and consider adding toasted sunflower seeds for crunch.
- Ensure pasta is drained well to prevent a soggy salad.
- Adjust salt in dressing according to taste, especially if bacon is very salty.
