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

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 17

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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!

*** Explore more Southwest Layered Pasta Salad Recipes »

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Ariba Nasir

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This is a great recipe for a summer cookout or potluck. It's easy to make and everyone loves it.

Akor Samson

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This pasta salad is a great make-ahead dish. I made it the night before a party and it was even better the next day.

Sila Gharti

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I thought the dressing was a little too bland. I added some extra spices to it and it was much better.

Deejay Gyaviira pro

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This was my first time making pasta salad, and it was surprisingly easy. I'm definitely going to make it again.

Raj Bhusal

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This pasta salad is so versatile. I've added different vegetables, cheeses, and meats to it, and it's always turned out great.

Sufia Ms.

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I'm not a huge fan of bell peppers, so I omitted them from the recipe. It was still delicious!

Ganesh Bibash

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I love the vibrant colors of this salad! It's so visually appealing.

Muhammad Koye

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This was a great recipe! I used a store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking my own, and it turned out just as well.

Maleek Joseph

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I've made this pasta salad several times now and it's always a crowd-pleaser. The dressing is tangy and flavorful, and the combination of pasta, beans, corn, and tomatoes is perfect.