Pasta salads take center stage at a summer pool party. But pasta salad can technically be eaten during any season, not just summer! There’s no food law that says you must wait until June 21 to begin consuming pasta salad and immediately stop on September 22. And you’ll be glad there’s no such law with this French Dressing Pasta Salad.
Pasta salads are such a popular item to bring to cookouts and pool parties and what I love about this recipe is that there is no mayo! A pasta salad without mayo, let’s all celebrate that. We’ve all seen the “I’ve been in the sun way too long mayo-based pasta salad” on just about every buffet table at every cookout. We start wondering just how long it’s been out, how long the direct sun may have been hitting it. But you won’t have to have those worries with this! French dressing combines with some sour cream to make this zesty vibrant dressing that coats each bowtie noodle.
I love the French dressing in this pasta salad. It ads such a bright color that just begs you to dive in a take a huge spoonful. And just look at all those fixins in there! This truly is a loaded pasta salad. Peas, red onion, Canadian bacon, and Cheddar cheese. That’s what makes a good pasta salad. All of the goodies that are hiding in the nooks and crannies that make each bite a little meal in itself.
I’ve made this both for summer parties but also just to have as lunch during the week. Don’t we all need those quick go-to lunches on busy days? Sometimes the thought of what to make for lunch just makes it too easy to order delivery. But if you’ve got this sitting in the fridge, you’ll be looking forward to lunch all morning!
Did you make this? Let me know what you think!
You might also like:
Easy Summer Pasta Salad
French Dressing Pasta Salad
A fresh and bright pasta salad perfect for lunch or a summer party. This pasta salad is made without mayo, and loaded with peas, red onions, Cheddar cheese, and Canadian bacon. Zesty French dressing gives a vibrant color to the salad!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
3 cups uncooked bowtie pasta
1/2 cup diced red onion
1 6oz package diced Canadian ham, diced
1 10oz package frozen peas, cooked
1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup sour cream
1 cup French dressing
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
1. Cook pasta, then strain. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, red onion, diced ham, and peas.
2. In another small bowl, mix the sour cream and French dressing, then season with the salt and pepper.
3. Add the dressing to the pasta bowl and stir until everything is coated. Pour in the shredded cheese and mix well. Chill for a few hours before serving.
Adapted from: Source
Hi-can you please tell me what zesty French dressing you used? Thank you!!
Hi! I’ve always used Wishbone brand 🙂
Can you freeze this? Thanks
I wouldn’t recommend that. I haven’t tried it but I think the sour cream in the sauce wouldn’t keep the right consistency from freezing/thawing.
Awesome! Good twist on pasta salad using the French dressing.
thank you!
Hello ~ I’m super excited to try this one! I know you mentioned you use Wish-bone dressing but which of the french ones do you use. I see there’s a sweet & spicy (darker orange) then there’s the creamy (lighter orange)?
Thank you!
The creamy French dressing is what I used.
Have you made this a day in advance or should be made and just chilled for a few hours?
It’s definitely best served the same day you make it, if you have to make it a day ahead I recommend making about 1/2 extra of the dressing and mixing it to bring back the creaminess before serving.