Description
Apple, grape, and pecan pasta salad is a sweet and savory side dish that combines tender pasta, fresh fruit, and toasted nuts with a creamy dressing. It’s ideal for potlucks, picnics, or any meal where you want a refreshing twist on pasta salad.
Ingredients
- 12 oz short pasta (rotini, bowtie, or macaroni)
- 2 red apples, chopped
- 1 cup red or green grapes, halved
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 1/4 cup green onions or red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
- Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine apples, grapes, celery, onions, and cooled pasta.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, honey, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Fold in toasted pecans just before serving for maximum crunch.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Add dried cranberries or raisins for extra sweetness.
- Substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds.
- Use all Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Toss apples in lemon juice to prevent browning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
