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French Onion Pasta Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 147 reviews

A creamy and flavorful French Onion Pasta Salad featuring caramelized onions, farfalle pasta, and a tangy dressing made with sour cream, mayo, white wine vinegar, and fresh herbs. This salad is a delicious twist on classic French onion flavors served cold or at room temperature, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a unique pasta side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Caramelized Onions

  • 2 white onions, sliced super thin
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (evoo)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced

Pasta Salad

  • 3/4 lb farfalle pasta (a little more than half a standard 1 lb box)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
  • 1 tbsp chopped chives
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions

  1. Caramelize the Onions: Slice the onions very thinly. Heat olive oil in a skillet over low heat, add the sliced onions and 1/4 tsp salt. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally every 3-5 minutes until the onions become soft and golden brown, about 45 minutes. During the last minute, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Set aside and reserve some caramelized onion strands for garnish.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and let it cool completely before mixing into the salad.
  3. Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, chopped parsley, chopped chives, and soy sauce. Adjust the dressing thickness by adding a bit of the cooled pasta cooking water if necessary. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  4. Assemble the Salad: Toss the cooled pasta with the prepared dressing. Top the salad with the reserved caramelized onions, additional parsley leaves, and freshly cracked black pepper for garnish.
  5. Serve and Store: The pasta salad is delicious served chilled or at room temperature. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Notes

  • Caramelizing onions is a slow process but imparts deep flavor; be patient and cook on low heat.
  • Saving some caramelized onions for garnish adds a beautiful visual and flavor touch.
  • The dressing can be adjusted in thickness using pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.
  • This salad can be made ahead and kept refrigerated for a couple of days, making it great for meal prep.
  • Use white wine vinegar for the best tangy flavor, but apple cider vinegar may be substituted if needed.

Keywords: French Onion Pasta Salad, caramelized onion pasta salad, farfalle salad, creamy pasta salad, vegetarian pasta salad

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/french-onion-pasta-salad-recipe/