Best 11 Southwestern Pasta Salad Recipes
Escape the ordinary and embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant flavors of the Southwest with this exploration of the best southwestern pasta salad recipes. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a symphony of zesty spices, tangy sauces, and an array of fresh ingredients that capture the essence of this captivating region. Discover a collection of delectable dishes that combine the boldness of chili peppers, the smokiness of paprika, the sweetness of corn, and the freshness of cilantro, all harmoniously blended with tender pasta and a variety of tantalizing toppings. Whether you seek a quick and easy weeknight meal or a spectacular dish to impress at a gathering, these southwestern pasta salad recipes will transport you to a world of culinary delight.
Here are our top 11 tried and tested recipes!
SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD
Really popular at potlucks--make a double batch! Very easy and very delicious. Serve on a bed of lettuce for a nice touch.
Provided by Lisa Provost
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- In a large bowl combine oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt and garlic. Stir in pasta and set aside to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in corn, beans, green pepper, red pepper and 1/2 of the cilantro leaves. Spoon onto a platter and garnish with tomatoes and remaining cilantro. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 216.6 calories, Carbohydrate 27.2 g, Fat 10.3 g, Fiber 6.1 g, Protein 6.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 468.3 mg, Sugar 2.4 g
SOUTHWESTERN BLACK BEAN PASTA SALAD
When I first served this jazzed-up pasta salad for my mom's birthday dinner, it was so well-received that I couldn't wait to make it again! Chose the flavor of salsa to suit your family's taste.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 20m
Yield 9 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse in cold water; drain. In a large salad bowl, combine the pasta, black beans, peppers and onion. Combine the salad dressing, salsa and cayenne. Pour over pasta mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 282 calories, Fat 15g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 412mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 6g protein.
SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD
I created this southwestern pasta salad for a friend who owns a catering business. I was told it was a hit at her events and it's now among the most-requested dishes. -Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 16 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a small bowl, whisk the first 8 ingredients until blended. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta; rinse with cold water., In a large bowl, mix pasta, corn, beans, tomatoes, olives, peppers, onion and 1/4 cup cilantro. Pour dressing over salad; toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving., Just before serving, top with avocado and the remaining cilantro.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 203 calories, Fat 6g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 191mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
ZESTY SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD
This goes over well at potlucks - when there's a choice of more than one pasta salad, this one usually goes first. Oddly enough, the leftovers make good soup, too! I just add the leftovers to some vegetable broth and canned tomatoes, and season it with more of the same spices that were in the recipe. This recipe originally came from allrecipes.com, but I have tweaked it in a way that suits me better. As always I have cut back on the oil and lime juice, so add more back in if it suits you. I love the amount of chili powder and cumin in this, but it may be a bit much for some so use less if you don't like those flavors as much as I do.
Provided by Vino Girl
Categories Pasta Shells
Time 2h30m
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Prepare pasta according to package instructions.
- When making pasta salad, I like to cook my pasta a minute or two less than recommended so it stays firmer in the dressing, and holds up better against breaking apart when tossing.
- Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large bowl whisk together oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt and garlic.
- Gently stir in pasta and set aside.
- Gently stir in corn, beans, green pepper, red pepper, onion, tomatoes and 1/2 of the cilantro leaves.
- Garnish with the remaining cilantro.
- Cover and chill at least 2 hours.
SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD
Provided by Bobby Flay
Time 15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Place cooked pasta in a large bowl, add peppers, onions, tomatillo, corn and lima beans. Place vinegar and chipotle peppers in a blender and blend until smooth. Slowly add olive oil until emulsified and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss the salad with the dressing and add cilantro.
SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN AND PASTA SALAD
Provided by Erin Renouf Mylroie
Categories Salad Chicken Pasta Tomato Kid-Friendly Quick & Easy Back to School Summer Cilantro Bon Appétit California Small Plates
Yield Serves 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain; rinse under cold running water and drain again.
- Transfer pasta to large bowl. Add oil and toss to coat. Mix in chicken, green onions, tomatoes, hominy, beans, taco sauce and cilantro. Season salad generously with salt and pepper.
SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
Dinner ready in 30 minutes! Enjoy this delicious pasta salad flavored with Old El Paso® salsa and made using chicken and corn - perfect for a Southwestern meal.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 30m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook and drain rotini as directed on package. Rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well.
- Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix chicken, avocado, tomato, corn, onions and cheese. In small bowl, mix mayonnaise and salsa.
- Add rotini to salad; stir gently to mix. Add mayonnaise mixture to salad; toss to coat. Arrange lettuce blend on individual plates. Spoon salad over lettuce. Sprinkle with cilantro.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 565, Carbohydrate 40 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Fat 7, Fiber 5 g, Protein 25 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 775 mg, Sugar 7 g
LAYERED SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD
This always goes over very well when I've taken this to pot-lucks. I use low-fat mayonnaise and sour cream, so it makes a healthy, and flavorful dish. In a clear straight-sided bowl, this makes a nice colorful presentation.
Provided by Beth A.
Categories Low Cholesterol
Time 20m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Prepare pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse under cold water. Drain again.
- Toss with oil and sprinkle with cumin; salt to taste.
- Layer pasta, beans, corn, bell pepper, green onion and olives in a 2 1/2 to 3 quart straight sided bowl.
- In a small bowl combine mayo, sour cream and salsa; mix well. Spread evenly over top of pasta, sealing to edge of bowl. Sprinkle with cilantro.
- (Best if refrigerated several hours, or overnight before serving.).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 475.2, Fat 18.1, SaturatedFat 4.6, Cholesterol 16.1, Sodium 621.5, Carbohydrate 67.3, Fiber 9.9, Sugar 5.7, Protein 14.4
V'S SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD
If you like a citrus based dressing with rotini pasta, give this one a try. I make this salad for a nice refreshing twist for pasta salad. This is one of our family favorite Southwestern Salads. Enjoy as a side dish or add cooked chicken and make it a meal in one! Served chilled Bueno ;)
Provided by Vseward Chef-V
Categories Salad Dressings
Time 30m
Yield 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- In a large bowl combine oil, vinegar, lime juice, cayenne, cumin, salt, garlic, dried cilantro and salsa.
- Stir in corn, beans, green pepper, red pepper, tomatoes, olives and 1/2 of the cilantro leaves. Spoon onto a platter and garnish with avocado and remaining cilantro. Serve chilled.
SOUTHWESTERN RANCH PASTA SALAD
Whipping up a great pasta salad while the meat is grilling is easy with Suddenly Salad. Just toss in your favorite veggies, stir and voilà!
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Lunch
Time 20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Empty Pasta mix into 3-quart saucepan 2/3 full of boiling water. Gently boil uncovered 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, adding corn during last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Drain pasta and corn; rinse with cold water. Shake to drain well.
- Im medium bowl, stir together seasoning mix, dressing and lime juice. Stir in pasta with corn and remaining ingredients except tortilla chips. Serve salad with tortilla chips. Serve immediately, or refrigerate.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 270, Carbohydrate 34 g, Cholesterol 5 mg, Fat 2, Fiber 3 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 1 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 840 mg, Sugar 6 g, TransFat 0 g
SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD
What's the secret to this delicious pasta salad? Using jarred salsa in the dressing makes it flavorful and simple to prepare.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Side Dish
Time 2h20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cook pasta as directed on box, adding corn during last 2 minutes of cook time. Drain; rinse with cold water.
- In large bowl, stir together salsa, olive oil, lime juice and salt. Stir in pasta and remaining ingredients.
- Cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 290, Carbohydrate 56 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 1/2, Fiber 8 g, Protein 11 g, SaturatedFat 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 780 mg
Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the pasta salad will taste. This is especially true for the vegetables, which should be crisp and colorful.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Pasta should be cooked al dente, which means it should still have a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and won't hold up well in the salad.
- Let the pasta salad cool before serving: This will help the flavors to meld and the pasta to absorb the dressing. If you serve the pasta salad warm, the dressing will be too runny and the pasta will be more likely to stick together.
- Make the pasta salad ahead of time: Pasta salad is a great make-ahead dish. You can make it up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This makes it a great option for potlucks and parties.
Conclusion:
Southwestern pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its fresh ingredients and bold flavors, southwestern pasta salad is sure to be a hit at your next party or potluck.
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