French Dressing Pasta Salad Recipe-Easy & Delicious

Craving a refreshingly simple and incredibly flavorful side dish or light meal? Our French Dressing Pasta Salad is exactly what you need! This easy-to-make recipe brings a delightful tang and sweetness to classic pasta salad ingredients, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 12 oz (about 3 cups) rotini or fusilli pasta
• 1 cup bottled French dressing (or homemade)
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 English cucumber, diced
• 1 cup cooked ham or turkey, diced (optional)
• 4 oz cheddar cheese, cubed (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, prepare your vegetables: dice the red and green bell peppers, finely chop the red onion, halve the cherry tomatoes, and dice the cucumber. If using, dice the ham/turkey and cube the cheddar cheese.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, diced ham/turkey (if using), and cheddar cheese cubes (if using).
4. Pour the French dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
5. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. For an extra touch of freshness, stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld. For best results, chill for 2-4 hours.
7. Give the salad another quick toss before serving. Enjoy this delicious and easy French Dressing Pasta Salad!