Delicious French Dressing Pasta Salad

I had never thought of putting French dressing on pasta until I saw my neighbor do it at a block party years ago. Growing up, French dressing was strictly for garden salads in our house – you know, the kind with iceberg lettuce and tomatoes.

But watching her toss that orange dressing with spiral pasta and fresh veggies opened up a whole new world for me. It’s one of those simple combinations that just works, and now it’s my go-to dish for summer potlucks. The best part? You don’t have to fuss with complicated ingredients or fancy techniques – just cook some pasta, chop a few vegetables, and let that tangy dressing do all the heavy lifting.

What Kind of Pasta Should I Use?

While this recipe calls for bowtie pasta (also known as farfalle), you’ve got plenty of other options that’ll work just as well in this pasta salad. Medium-sized shapes like rotini, penne, or medium shells are great alternatives since they catch and hold the creamy French dressing in their nooks and crannies. Regular pasta works perfectly fine here, but if you want to change things up, whole wheat pasta can add a nutty flavor and extra fiber. Just remember to cook your pasta al dente – slightly firm to the bite – since it will continue to soften as it sits in the dressing, and nobody wants mushy pasta salad!

Options for Substitutions

This pasta salad is pretty easy to customize with what you have in your kitchen:

• Bowtie pasta: Any medium-sized pasta shape works great here – try rotini, penne, or even shell pasta. Just cook according to the package directions until al dente.
• Canadian ham: You can swap the Canadian ham with diced turkey, regular ham, or even chopped rotisserie chicken. For a vegetarian version, try using chickpeas or cubed firm tofu.
• Frozen peas: Not a fan of peas? Try corn, chopped bell peppers, or blanched broccoli florets instead. Just make sure they’re cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Sour cream: Greek yogurt makes a great substitute for sour cream – it adds protein and keeps the creamy texture. Just make sure to use plain, full-fat yogurt.
• French dressing: If you’re out of French dressing, try Catalina, Russian, or even Thousand Island dressing. Each will give the salad a different but tasty twist.
• Cheddar cheese: Feel free to use any firm cheese you like – Colby, Monterey Jack, or even pepper jack for a bit of heat would all work well here.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making pasta salad is overcooking the pasta – always cook it al dente (about 1-2 minutes less than package directions) since the pasta will continue to absorb dressing as it sits, and overcooked pasta can become mushy.

Another common error is adding the dressing while the pasta is still hot, which causes the pasta to soak up too much dressing too quickly and can make your sour cream separate – instead, let the pasta cool completely and toss it with a tiny bit of olive oil to prevent sticking.

To keep your peas bright green and crisp, avoid overcooking them by running under cold water immediately after heating, and when mixing the salad, fold the ingredients gently rather than stirring vigorously to prevent the pasta from breaking and the ham from shredding.

For the best flavor, let the salad chill for at least 2 hours before serving, but remember to taste and adjust the seasoning right before serving, as cold temperatures can dull flavors.

What to Serve With French Dressing Pasta Salad?

This creamy pasta salad works great as a side dish, but you might be wondering what to pair it with for a complete meal. Since it’s already pretty hearty with the pasta and ham, try serving it alongside some simple grilled chicken or a few slices of garlic bread. For summer cookouts, it pairs perfectly with burgers or hot dogs right off the grill. If you want to add some fresh elements to your plate, a simple green salad or some sliced cucumbers and tomatoes would complement the rich, creamy flavors of the pasta salad really well.

Storage Instructions

Keep Cool: This pasta salad is perfect for making ahead! Pop it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually get better as they hang out together, making it a great meal prep option.

Before Serving: If you notice the pasta has absorbed some of the dressing after being in the fridge, just give it a quick stir and add a splash more French dressing to freshen it up. Let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving – the flavors come alive when it’s not super cold.

Make Ahead Tips: Want to prep this in advance? Cook the pasta, dice the ham, and chop the onions up to a day ahead. Store them separately in the fridge, then toss everything together with the dressing when you’re ready to serve. This keeps all the ingredients at their best!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	10-15 minutes
Total Time	2-3 hours
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1500-1700
• Protein: 60-70 g
• Fat: 70-80 g
• Carbohydrates: 180-200 g

Ingredients

• 3 cups dry bowtie pasta
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1 package (6 oz) diced canadian ham
• 1 package (10 oz) cooked frozen peas
• 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1 cup french dressing
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Step 1: Cook and Prepare Pasta

Begin by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions until it reaches al dente.

Once cooked, strain the pasta using a colander and run it under cold water to stop the cooking process.

Set aside to cool completely.

Step 2: Combine Pasta with Other Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with chopped red onion, diced ham, and peas.

Gently toss these ingredients together to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the pasta.

Step 3: Prepare the Dressing

In a separate small bowl, mix together sour cream and French dressing.

Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring the dressing is well-balanced and flavorful.

Step 4: Mix Pasta with Dressing

Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture in the large bowl.

Stir everything together until the pasta and other ingredients are well-coated with the dressing.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Chill

Add the shredded cheese to the pasta salad and mix thoroughly until it’s evenly distributed.

Cover the bowl and chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.