Broccoli, Grape, And Pasta Salad

If you're a broccoli pasta salad fan, you'll really swoon over this version. Fresh broccoli and chopped pecans add glorious crunch to the creamy, farfalle-based pasta salad, while grapes add just a touch of sweetness. Finish it all with some crumbled bacon slices? Now we're in business.

A sweet-yet-tangy dressing lets all the ingredients really shine. Serve this broccoli pasta salad recipe as a spring or summertime side alongside your favorite grilled chicken recipe, or double the batch to share at a potluck or church gathering.

Learn how to make broccoli pasta salad with grapes and pecans, and you're going to be amazed how quickly this becomes a family favorite.

Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad Ingredients

To make broccoli pasta salad, you’ll need:

• Fresh broccoli: Smaller pieces of fresh broccoli are better to keep the texture of this pasta salad just right.
• Pecans: Adds great nuttiness and crunch.
• Mayonnaise: The creamy base of the tangy dressing.
• Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness to enhance the sweetness of the red onions and grapes.
• Red onion: We like the milder flavor of red onion, but you could use sweet onions or Vidalias if you prefer.
• White vinegar: This adds great bite and tang without being overwhelming. Red white vinegar is good if you like a slightly sweeter dressing.
• Salt: For seasoning.
• Bowtie pasta: The bowtie pasta (also known as farfalle) is a great shape for this pasta salad, but you could use fusilli, rotini, or orecchiette, or any similarly-sized shell.
• Seedless red grape: A surprising addition, but we promise this puts this dish over the top.
• Bacon slices: Bacon is optional, but we like the bit of smoky, savory flavor bacon adds to the complete dish.

How To Make Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

This pasta salad comes together with just 25 minutes of hands-on time. You'll need to plan for some chilling time before serving. Here's a brief outline of the recipe:

• Step 1. Toast pecans: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the pecans in a single layer for about 5 to 7 minutes or until they are lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.
• Step 2. Cook pasta: Prepare the pasta according to the package directions.
• Step 3. Chop broccoli: Meanwhile, cut the broccoli florets from the stems, and separate the florets into small pieces using the tip of a paring knife. Peel away the tough outer layer of stems, and finely chop the remaining stems.
• Step 4. Make dressing: Whisk together the mayonnaise and the next four ingredients in a large bowl.
• Step 5. Assemble pasta salad: Add the broccoli, hot cooked pasta, and grapes, and stir to coat.
• Step 6. Chill: Cover and chill for three hours. Stir the bacon and pecans into the salad just before serving.

Ways To Serve Broccoli Pasta Salad

Serve this broccoli pasta salad recipe as a spring or summertime side dish alongside your favorite grilled chicken recipes, or double the batch to share at a potluck or church gathering.

And here’s a great serving tip from a Southern Living community member: Rhonda Mae added grilled chicken to leftover pasta salad for more heartiness and protein, and gushed about the results.

How To Store Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Seal broccoli pasta salad in an air-tight container and store it in the fridge, where it should last five days or up to a week.

Broccoli Salad Recipe Variations

The potential for substitutions and variations in this recipe are only limited to your tastes and imagination (plus what you have on hand in the kitchen).

"I always try to add extra veggies, so I incorporated grated carrots and diced purple cabbage," one Southern Living community member says. "I skipped the pasta and also used walnuts in place of pecans. It's a great snack to have on hand, ready to eat."

Another community member left out the sugar and bacon and called the result “a big hit” at a family gathering.

Community member Jenny McGurk added feta to the recipe and called it "the hit of the party."

More Potluck Side Dishes

Fill out the potluck sides with more classics, including:

• Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole
• Southern Pimiento Rice and Cheese
• Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes
• Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Editorial contributions by Alesandra Dubin.