Best 3 Southwest Pasta Salad Recipes

Welcome to the exciting world of flavors! Are you ready to embark on a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more? In this article, we will take you on a delightful adventure as we explore the best recipe for southwest pasta salad - a dish that seamlessly blends the bold flavors of the Southwest with the comforting goodness of pasta. Get ready to create a masterpiece that will transport you to a vibrant fiesta of flavors, leaving you with an unforgettable dining experience.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

SOUTHWEST PASTA SALAD

Southwest Pasta Salad image

Prize-Winning Recipe 2009! Need a crowd-sized salad? Try a jazzed-up flavorful pasta salad you can have ready in just 30 minutes.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Side Dish

Time 30m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 boxes Betty Crocker™ Suddenly Salad® classic pasta salad mix
1/2 cup cold water
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 to 2 tablespoons red pepper sauce, if desired
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ black or pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with jalapeños, drained
1 can (11 oz) whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, drained
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives
1/2 cup chopped red, yellow or green bell pepper
1 medium avocado, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
8 oz pepper Jack cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (2 cups)
Romaine lettuce leaves, if desired

Steps:

Empty Pasta mixes into 4-quart saucepan 2/3 full of boiling water. Gently boil uncovered 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, in large bowl, stir together Seasoning mixes, cold water, olive oil, vinegar, cilantro, pepper sauce and cumin.
Drain pasta; rinse with cold water. Shake to drain well. Add pasta, beans, tomatoes, corn, olives, bell pepper, avocado and cheese to seasoning mixture; toss gently to coat. If desired, serve on a platter lined with lettuce leaves. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 340, Carbohydrate 42 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 5 g, Protein 11 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 920 mg, Sugar 6 g, TransFat 0 g

SOUTHWEST PASTA SALAD

Southwest Pasta Salad image

This simple pasta salad recipe is bursting with flavors. There's spice from the Rotel and tomatoes, a slight sweetness from the corn, and a wonderful crunch from the veggies. The best part is the homemade salad dressing recipe. It has the perfect balance of tang and spice. Great for a picnic, BBQ, or potluck.

Provided by Carolyn Haas

Categories Pasta Salads

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

3 c radiatore pasta, dry
1/2 c onion, chopped
1 medium red pepper, chopped (any color is ok)
1/2 c sliced black olives
1 stalk(s) celery, chopped
1 can(s) red kidney beans (15 oz) drained and rinsed
1 c frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 can(s) Rotel tomatoes with chilis (approx. 12 oz)
1/2 c olive oil
1/3 c white vinegar
1/3 c lime (or lemon) juice
1 1/2 Tbsp garlic salt
1 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp chili powder
1/4 c cilantro, chopped

Steps:

1. Boil pasta as directed on package.
2. Rinse and put in a large bowl.
3. Add all veggies.
4. Combine oil, vinegar, lemon juice, seasonings, and cilantro. Stir into pasta mixture. Let chill a few hours to blend flavors.

SOUTHWEST LAYERED PASTA SALAD

Southwest Layered Pasta Salad image

After the popularity of my Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad (Thank you, JAP chefs!), I thought I'd develop another salad dish, this time with a Southwestern tang. As always, choose the ingredients your family loves and realize that the amounts are always your choice. I'm just going to list what I do and give you some more options. ...

Provided by Fran Miller

Categories Chicken Salads

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

some pasta; cooked, rinsed in cool water, drained (wagon wheel pasta is a nice touch) 1/2 pound of uncooked pasta makes enough for 4-6 servings
some salad dressing (ranch or chipotle ranch are my favorites)
some shredded or chopped lettuce
some tomato chunks
some sliced black olives
some chopped onion
some chopped peppers (green, jalapeno, etc...)
some cooked corn, drained & cooled
some black beans; cooked, rinsed in cool water, & drained
some shredded or small chunks of cheese (pepper jack, colby jack, cheddar, etc...)
some crumbled fritos
OTHER OPTIONS TO CONSIDER...
some chicken strips or chunks, seasoned with southwestern spices
some salsa
some sour cream
some crumbled bacon or bacon bits
some ranch-flavored croutons, instead of crumbled fritos

Steps:

1. While pasta is cooking, prepare your chopped vegetables. If using canned corn or black beans, just rinse & drain well. Cover & refrigerate until ready to assemble the salad.
2. Mix the drained & cooled pasta with some of the salad dressing. Cover and refrigerate if you are not ready to eat.
3. When it's time for dinner, layer the pasta, then the vegetables, in a large pasta bowl or individual salad plates.
4. Top with crumbled Fritos and shredded cheese.
5. Decisions, decisions... Will you top with more salad dressing or possibly salsa & sour cream?
6. Whatever you decide, enjoy!

< h3>Tips - Use a variety of colors of vegetables in your pasta salad. This will make it more visually appealing and increase the nutritional value. - Cook the pasta al dente, which means "to the tooth." This means that the pasta should be slightly firm when you bite into it. Overcooked pasta will become mushy when you add the dressing. - Use a light and flavorful dressing for your pasta salad. A good option is a vinaigrette made with olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and herbs. You can also use a store-bought dressing, but be sure to taste it first and adjust the seasonings as needed. - Add some protein to your pasta salad to make it a more complete meal. Good options include grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. - Serve your pasta salad chilled or at room temperature. If you are making it ahead of time, store it in the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before serving. < h3>Conclusion Southwest pasta salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or a potluck. It is easy to make and can be customized to your own taste preferences. With a variety of fresh vegetables, a light and flavorful dressing, and some grilled protein, southwest pasta salad is a surefire hit. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give southwest pasta salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

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