Easy French Vinaigrette Pasta Salad: Your Go-To Recipe for Freshness and Flavor

Elevate your meal prep and gatherings with this delightful Easy French Vinaigrette Pasta Salad. Featuring tender bowtie pasta, crisp cucumbers, vibrant bell peppers, and juicy tomatoes, all brought together with a tangy French Vinaigrette. It’s a remarkably simple yet incredibly satisfying dish!

I am absolutely thrilled to share this recipe for Easy French Vinaigrette Pasta Salad with you today! This isn’t just any recipe; it’s a testament to simple, delicious cooking and the joy of family collaboration. What makes this post extra special is that it’s a guest contribution from my wonderful youngest daughter, Josie. She has a true passion for cooking and a keen eye for stunning photography, and I’m incredibly proud to feature her work here. This year, you can look forward to more of her fantastic recipes gracing our blog! ~Michaela

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Meet Josie: Our Budding Chef and Guest Blogger

Hello everyone! It’s been a little while since my last appearance, so I thought I’d kick off this guest blog post with a proper reintroduction. My name is Josie, and I’m the youngest of Michaela’s four children. Recently, my mom approached me with the idea of becoming a regular guest poster on her blog, and without a second thought, I enthusiastically said yes!

Cooking and baking have always been a huge part of my life. I genuinely believe I’ve had the best teacher possible – my mom! From a very young age, I’ve been right there beside her in the kitchen, helping with countless recipes and soaking up all her culinary wisdom. In fact, this isn’t my first time guest posting. Six years ago, when I was just 11, I shared a recipe for these irresistible Red Velvet Truffles. They are a fantastic no-bake treat, absolutely perfect for special occasions like Valentine’s Day, which is always just around the corner. It’s been incredible to look back and see how much I’ve learned and how my love for creating in the kitchen has grown.

 

The Story Behind Our French Vinaigrette Pasta Salad

While those Red Velvet Truffles hold a special place in my heart, today’s main event is this incredible French Vinaigrette Pasta Salad! This recipe came into our lives a few months ago, thanks to my oldest brother’s girlfriend, Maizie. My parents were out of town, and Maizie was staying with my twin brother and me. She whipped up this pasta salad for lunch, and it was an instant hit.

When my mom asked me to think of a recipe to share for my next guest post, Maizie’s pasta salad immediately sprang to mind. I wasted no time texting her to ask for the recipe. It’s truly one of those dishes that you crave once you’ve tried it. What makes it even better is how wonderfully simple it is to prepare, and it’s naturally vegetarian, making it an excellent choice for a meatless meal or during Lent. Keep this one handy in your recipe collection!

Maizie shared that her mom used to make this very pasta salad for her and her brothers for lunch during the summer when they were kids. It became a comforting staple throughout her college years and has since evolved into one of her and Spencer’s (my brother’s) favorite dishes to cook together. There’s something truly special about recipes passed down through families and adapted to new generations. I absolutely adore this recipe, not just for its taste but for the story it carries, and I am so excited to finally share it with all of you!

^Love it? Pin It!^

If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to keep this recipe close at hand. Make sure you can easily find it again by pinning it to your favorite Pinterest board before you continue!

Essential Ingredients for This Easy French Vinaigrette Pasta Salad:

This recipe shines through its simplicity and the quality of its fresh ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create this delightful pasta salad:

• Bow Tie Pasta: I love the fun shape and how well bow tie (farfalle) pasta holds the vinaigrette, ensuring every bite is flavorful. You can, however, use any short pasta shape you prefer, such as rotini, penne, or fusilli.
• Orange Bell Peppers: These add a beautiful pop of color, a crisp texture, and a subtle sweetness that complements the tang of the vinaigrette. Red or yellow bell peppers would also work wonderfully.
• Grape Tomatoes: Sweet, juicy, and easy to prepare, grape tomatoes burst with freshness. Cherry tomatoes are a great alternative.
• Mini Cucumbers: For a refreshing crunch and mild flavor that balances the richness of the dressing. Regular cucumbers can be used, just be sure to seed them if they have large seeds.
• Jane’s Crazy Mixed-Up Salt & Pepper: This seasoning blend is a game-changer! It’s a flavorful combination that elevates the entire dish. More on this amazing discovery below!
• Brianna’s Home Style Real French Vinaigrette Dressing: The star of the dressing. This vinaigrette has a fantastic balance of flavors that ties all the ingredients together perfectly. If you can’t find Brianna’s, opt for another high-quality French vinaigrette.

You can find the complete printable recipe, with precise measurements and instructions, conveniently located at the bottom of this post.

Simple Steps to Prepare Your Pasta Salad:

To begin, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your 12-ounce package of bowtie pasta and cook according to package directions until it reaches a perfect al dente texture. Al dente pasta means it’s cooked through but still firm to the bite – ideal for pasta salads as it holds its shape and texture well. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly with cold water. This step is crucial for pasta salads, as it stops the cooking process, prevents the pasta from sticking together, and helps cool it down quickly.

While your pasta is boiling, it’s the perfect time to prepare your fresh vegetables. Start by slicing your grape tomatoes in half lengthwise. Next, take your two mini cucumbers and slice them into delightful medallions, or small circles, ensuring a consistent size for easy eating. Finally, chop your orange bell pepper into medium-sized, bite-friendly pieces. The goal is to have all your vegetable components ready to combine as soon as the pasta is cooled.

Once your pasta is cooled and your vegetables are prepped, combine them all in a large mixing bowl. Add the Brianna’s French Vinaigrette Dressing and generously sprinkle in the Jane’s Crazy Mixed-Up Salt and Pepper. Gently stir all the ingredients together until everything is well combined and the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the delicious dressing and seasoning. The key is to mix thoroughly but gently to avoid breaking the pasta or mashing the tomatoes. For best flavor, cover the bowl and chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until you are ready to serve. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a truly refreshing and satisfying salad.

Discovering New Favorites: Jane’s Krazy Mixed-Up Seasonings and Brianna’s Dressing

Before Maizie came into our lives, I had never heard of Jane’s Krazy Mixed-Up seasonings. It’s funny how different families have their own kitchen staples; for us, Lawry’s Seasoned Salt was always our go-to. But Maizie’s introduction to Jane’s Krazy Mixed-Up Salt has been nothing short of a revelation. This unique blend of herbs, spices, and salt adds an incredible depth of flavor that truly sets this pasta salad apart. It’s a versatile seasoning that’s quickly become a new favorite in our pantry, proving that sometimes the best discoveries come from unexpected places (or people!). If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend adding it to your spice rack.

Similarly, Brianna’s Dressing was another fantastic find that Maizie shared with us. This “Home Style Real French Vinaigrette” is truly exceptional. Its balance of oil, vinegar, and seasonings provides a rich, authentic French vinaigrette flavor that coats the pasta and vegetables beautifully, without being too heavy or overpowering. Together, these two brands – Jane’s Krazy Salt & Pepper and Brianna’s Dressing – have completely transformed our simple pasta salad into a dish we now regularly crave. We’re so grateful to Maizie for expanding our culinary horizons!

This simple yet flavorful salad is incredibly versatile. It’s not only perfect for a casual family lunch but also makes an excellent side dish for gatherings. Picture this: serving it at your next big game day party, perhaps on February 2nd, alongside wings and other appetizers. Its refreshing taste and easy preparation make it an absolute winner for any crowd.

More Delicious Favorites from An Affair from the Heart

Before I sign off, I’d love to take a moment to recommend a few other beloved recipes from my mom’s blog. Having grown up in her kitchen, I can personally attest to which recipes are the absolute tastiest. These are truly family-tested and approved favorites!

Graham Cracker Toffee – This is pure indulgence! Buttery toffee, luscious semi-sweet chocolate, and crunchy pecans layered over crisp graham crackers. It’s an incredibly easy-to-make toffee recipe that’s perfect for the holidays or any time you need a quick, impressive dessert.

Crock Pot Reuben Dip – Imagine the classic Reuben sandwich transformed into a warm, creamy, and utterly addictive dip! Served warm with rye crackers, this Crockpot Reuben Dip is the ultimate “fix it and forget it” party food. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for game nights or any casual gathering.

Beer Cheese Pasta – If you’ve ever been to Spaghetti Works in Omaha, you know their beloved Beer Cheese Pasta. This recipe is a fantastic copycat of that iconic dish, bringing the rich, savory flavors of beer cheese sauce right to your home kitchen.

And a Few More of My Personal Favorite Pasta Salads!

Classic Pasta Salad – This cherished childhood favorite holds a delightful secret ingredient that will truly surprise and impress you!

Mom’s Macaroni Salad – Summertime is synonymous with family fun, vibrant picnics, and delicious grilled food. My Mom’s Macaroni Salad is the quintessential side dish, pairing perfectly with anything you decide to cook on the grill!

Creamy Italian Four Bean Pasta Salad – This speedy and delicious picnic pasta salad comes together with simple pantry staples like pasta, olives, and a four-bean blend, enhanced with fresh cucumbers and onions, all tossed in an easy homemade creamy Italian dressing. Pure perfection for any outdoor meal!

I truly hope you enjoyed this wonderful recipe post from my sweet daughter, Josie! As she mentioned, this Easy French Vinaigrette Pasta Salad would make a fantastic and refreshing addition to your spread for football gatherings next weekend, or any time you need a simple, flavorful side. It’s a testament to how easy and delicious home cooking can be!

Now, let’s dive right into the full recipe details!