It's the second Monday of the month and that means it's time for this month's Secret Recipe Club reveal. This month I was assigned to the blog Flavors by Four. Flavors by Four is a blog run by mother and daughter foodies Susan and Nicole where they take turns sharing all kinds of delicious recipes including this one for a scrumptious broccoli grape pasta salad.
I bookmarked several recipes to try including this Vegetable Frittata, these Oatmeal Fudge Bars, and this Greek Orzo Salad...but ultimately, I decided on this Broccoli and Grape Pasta Salad because it reminded me of one of my favorite choices on the salad bar at Ruby Tuesdays restaurant.
Once again, like I have every month this year, I had a difficult time choosing a recipe to make and highlight. I've had a difficult time because there have been so many excellent recipes to choose from and the blog, Flavors by Four, was no exception.
I bookmarked several recipes to try including this Vegetable Frittata, these Oatmeal Fudge Bars, and this Greek Orzo Salad...but ultimately, I decided on this Broccoli and Grape Pasta Salad because it reminded me of one of my favorite choices on the salad bar at Ruby Tuesdays restaurant.
I will warn you, this recipe makes A LOT of salad! So it's perfect for all those upcoming summer BBQ's and occasions where you need to bring a dish to share! If you are making this for your family at home you might want to halve the recipe.
Why this recipe works
I loved the sweet "pop" of the grapes in this salad! It was a really nice contrast to the salty bacon and the broccoli. This was one of Nicole's recipes and she used pecans in her salad, but since I was trying to mimic that salad I love from Ruby Tuesdays, I replaced the pecans with sunflower seeds in my version. Otherwise, I made the recipe as it was written. I prefer sunflower seeds in this recipe but go ahead and try pecans in it if you like.
With my son's upcoming graduation party this summer, I know I will be making this summer salad again! We all enjoyed it and I think it would be a great addition to the menu for the party! Thank you Nicole for a great recipe!
Yield: 36 servings
Broccoli and Grape Pasta Salad
Prep time: 15 MinInactive time: 2 HourTotal time: 2 H & 15 M
Bow tie pasta, fresh broccoli, sweet grapes and salty bacon come together in a light mayonnaise based sauce for a wonderful combination of sweet and savory flavors.
Ingredients
- 1- 12 ounce box of bow-tie pasta
- 2 lbs. fresh broccoli florets
- 4 cups seedless, red grapes, halved
- 3/4 cup roasted, salted and shelled sunflower seeds
- 12 slices of bacon, crispy cooked and crumbled
- 1/3 cup finely diced red onion
- 2 cups mayonnaise (can be reduced fat or full fat)
- 2/3 cup red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions in well salted water to al dente, drain and rinse with cold water.
- In VERY LARGE bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Add in the cooked and rinsed pasta, broccoli, grapes, sunflower seeds, bacon and red onions. Mix well to coat in dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight to allow flavors to combine and pasta to get cold.
Notes
Allow for at least 2 hours chill time when planning to make this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
177.58Fat (grams)
13.86 gSat. Fat (grams)
2.61 gCholesterol (grams)
10.07 mgCarbs (grams)
10.83 gFiber (grams)
1.25 gSugar (grams)
4.78 gNet carbs
9.59 gProtein (grams)
3.15 gSodium (milligrams)
233.99 mgNutrition information is an estimate and only provided as a courtesy.
Copyright © 2015 Renee's Kitchen Adventures
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Renee, What a lovely salad! I can't wait to try this one, as I am a Ruby Tuesday's salad bar lover myself! ;) I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed cooking from your blog this month! It was truly a pleasure! Thanks for all of the great recipes!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Michaela! I loved your pick from my blog...your photos are just beautiful!!!
DeleteBroccoli Salad rocks....I love the combination of flavors! Great SRC selection.
ReplyDeleteThe grapes are a great addition!
DeleteOh my yum! This salad has all of my favorite flavors in it. Pinned!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Bec! We enjoyed this salad a lot!
DeleteThis is my favorite pasta salad! The flavors are so incredible!! Great photos, Renee!!
ReplyDeleteThis salad definitely sounds like a winner for a potluck.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked the Pasta Salad recipe!! Congrats to your son on graduating!!
ReplyDeleteOf course it will be good..hello, bacon? Sounds perfect for summer pot lucks and BBQs
ReplyDeleteI love grape in salads! It's a sweet surprise in a hearty side dish. This one looks so great!
ReplyDeleteThis pasta salad looks so tasty! Love the sweet grapes in this recipe!
ReplyDeleteI'm pinning this to save and will try it in a couple weeks. I'm in a club and twice a year we do a "Salad Supper" where have dinner with just pot-luck salads. Gong to make this one!
ReplyDeleteWow! I never would have thought to add grapes to a pasta salad! :) I bet the contrast of the sweetness of the grapes with the bacon and broccoli is delicious.
ReplyDeleteBroccoli salads are a favorite of mine, but never thought to add pasta. What a great dish to make for this month's SRC!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of sweet grapes with savory broccoli. Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThis salad looks very delicious! Perfect for my upcoming family reunion in June!
ReplyDeleteThis looks over the top delicious!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting combination for a salad Renee! Pinned and shared!
ReplyDelete