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Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Broccoli salad with grape pasta salad vibes—pasta, bright green broccoli, and purple grapes tossed in a creamy sweet-savory dressing. Chilled for extra flavor, finished with crunchy sunflower seeds and salty bacon for a potluck-ready unique salad.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

pasta salad base
  • 1 lb pasta shells or rotini
  • 4 cup broccoli florets, blanched
  • 2 cup red grapes, halved
  • 0.5 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 0.5 cup sunflower seeds
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
creamy dressing
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 0.5 cup sour cream
  • 0.25 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 Dutch oven

Method
 

Cook the pasta and broccoli
  1. Cook pasta shells or rotini according to package directions, then drain and rinse with cold water until cool.
  2. Blanch broccoli florets in boiling water for 2 minutes, then plunge into ice water and drain until bright green and crisp-tender.
Make the dressing
  1. Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, sugar, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth and pourable.
Assemble and chill
  1. Combine pasta, broccoli florets, red grapes, and red onion in a large bowl.
  2. Pour dressing over the salad and toss to coat every piece with a creamy sheen.
  3. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours so flavors meld and the dressing thickens slightly.
  4. Top with sunflower seeds and bacon before serving for crunch and salty contrast.

Notes

For best texture, rinse pasta in cold water until no longer warm so it doesn’t soften the broccoli; chill in a covered bowl to keep grapes from weeping. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days (freeze: no, as grapes and bacon texture can change). For a lighter swap, use light mayonnaise and light sour cream while keeping the sugar and vinegar ratio the same.