French Onion Dip Pasta Salad (Print-Friendly Version)

Pasta salad tossed with creamy French onion dip flavors and crisp veggies—perfect for a party or picnic.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta Salad

01 - 450 g short pasta, such as fusilli or penne
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 15 ml olive oil
04 - 240 g sour cream
05 - 120 g mayonnaise
06 - 60 ml whole milk
07 - 30 g finely chopped chives
08 - 120 g shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 60 g finely chopped fresh parsley
10 - 2 g garlic powder
11 - 2 g onion powder
12 - 3 g fine sea salt
13 - 1.5 g freshly ground black pepper

# Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions, about 8 to 10 minutes.
02 - Drain the cooked pasta thoroughly and rinse under cold water to halt cooking. Set aside to cool completely.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook, stirring frequently, until caramelized and deeply golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, milk, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
05 - Add cooled pasta, caramelized onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and fresh parsley to the dressing. Toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
06 - Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled.

# Notes & Tips:

01 - Toss the salad just before serving for best texture and flavor.
02 - For extra flavor, prepare the salad a few hours in advance to allow the onions and dressing to penetrate the pasta.