Best 7 Fiesta Pasta Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Fiesta Pasta Salad: A Vibrant and Flavorful Dish for Every Occasion

Immerse yourself in a culinary fiesta with this vibrant and flavorful Fiesta Pasta Salad, a delightful dish that captivates the senses and tantalizes the taste buds. This delectable salad combines the harmonious blend of tender pasta, a medley of crisp vegetables, savory protein, and a tangy, aromatic dressing, resulting in a symphony of flavors and textures that will elevate any gathering. The recipe offers three enticing variations to cater to diverse preferences and dietary choices, ensuring that everyone can partake in this culinary celebration:

1. **Classic Fiesta Pasta Salad:** This traditional version features a burst of colors and flavors, with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, tangy red onion, and succulent cooked chicken. Dressed in a zesty combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, taco seasoning, and lime juice, this classic salad is a crowd-pleaser that embodies the essence of a fiesta.

2. **Vegetarian Fiesta Pasta Salad:** For those who prefer a meatless option, this vibrant salad boasts an array of colorful vegetables, including roasted red bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach. The dressing, a harmonious blend of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, and spices, lends a delightful tanginess that complements the roasted vegetables and fresh spinach.

3. **Loaded Fiesta Pasta Salad:** Indulge in a feast of flavors with this fully loaded version that combines the best of both worlds. It features a medley of tender chicken, juicy shrimp, and a variety of vegetables, all coated in a creamy and flavorful dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, salsa, and a touch of lime juice. This loaded salad is a hearty and satisfying dish that will leave you craving more.

Whether you're hosting a fiesta-themed party, planning a summer barbeque, or simply craving a refreshing and flavorful meal, this Fiesta Pasta Salad, with its three enticing variations, is the perfect choice. Gather your ingredients, choose your preferred version, and embark on a culinary journey that promises to tantalize your taste buds and create lasting memories.

Let's cook with our recipes!

MEXICAN FIESTA PASTA SALAD



Mexican Fiesta Pasta Salad image

Your family and friends will love this zesty pasta salad. A surprising change from traditional pasta salads. Ole!

Provided by JOSLYN H.

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Rotini Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 (16 ounce) package dried rotini pasta
1 ½ cups medium chunky salsa
1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
1 (16 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (11 ounce) can Mexican-style corn with red and green peppers, drained
½ cup chopped red bell pepper
2 green onions, sliced thin
1 (4.25 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground cumin, or to taste
½ teaspoon dried cilantro, or to taste
1 teaspoon salt
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil; cook the rotini in the boiling water until the pasta is cooked through yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold running water until completely cooled; drain thoroughly.
  • Whisk the salsa, mayonnaise, sour cream, black beans, Mexican-style corn, red bell pepper, green onions, black olives, garlic powder, cumin, cilantro, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl; add the cooled pasta and stir to coat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 hours to overnight before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 272.4 calories, Carbohydrate 31.6 g, Cholesterol 8.4 mg, Fat 14 g, Fiber 4.1 g, Protein 6.5 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 615.1 mg, Sugar 2.1 g

FIESTA PASTA SALAD WITH DILL PICKLES



Fiesta Pasta Salad with Dill Pickles image

This dill pickle pasta salad salad has so many different colors that it looks as though there is confetti in it. There is a thousand variations to this salad! My mother adds ham and asparagus to it. I usually use tri-colored pasta in this salad to add even more color. Also I serve green onions on the side. All my friends and family love this so much. I don't think I would be invited on our annual family camping trip if I didn't bring this salad.

Provided by ROB23

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 1h35m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups uncooked fusilli pasta
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
⅓ cup minced dill pickles
⅓ cup minced celery
⅓ cup minced radishes
½ cup light creamy salad dressing (such as Miracle Whip®), or more to taste
⅓ cup shredded aged Cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons light Thousand Island salad dressing
1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
2 teaspoons whole grain Dijon mustard
1 pinch paprika, or to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook fusilli in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes. Add frozen vegetables; continue cooking until fusilli is tender yet firm to the bite, about 6 minutes more. Drain.
  • Soak the fusilli-vegetable mixture in cold water until cool to the touch.
  • Meanwhile, mix pickles, celery, and radishes with creamy salad dressing, Cheddar cheese, Thousand Island dressing, relish, and Dijon mustard together in a large bowl. Drain fusilli and vegetables and mix in. Cover and refrigerate, 1 to 8 hours. Sprinkle paprika on top before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 84.3 calories, Carbohydrate 12.9 g, Cholesterol 4.7 mg, Fat 2.6 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 3.1 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 178.4 mg, Sugar 1.6 g

FIESTA CHICKEN PASTA SALAD



Fiesta Chicken Pasta Salad image

Bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and green onions add color and nutrition to this creamy pasta salad.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 package Betty Crocker™ Suddenly Salad® classic pasta salad mix
1/3 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup cherry tomato halves
1/2 cup julienne strips green bell pepper
2 green onions, chopped
1 cup cubed cooked chicken or roast beef
Tortilla chips
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
Old El Paso™ salsa (any variety)

Steps:

  • Empty pasta mix into 3-quart saucepan 2/3 full of boiling water. Gently boil about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Drain pasta; rinse in cold water. Shake to drain.
  • Stir together Seasoning mix, sour cream, water and chili powder in large bowl. Stir in pasta-vegetable mixture, tomatoes, bell pepper and onion. Stir in chicken.
  • Line serving plate with tortilla chips. Mound salad onto chips; sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Serve with salsa. Refrigerate any remaining salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 340, Carbohydrate 45 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 23 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1090 mg

FIESTA CHICKEN PASTA SALAD



Fiesta Chicken Pasta Salad image

Make and share this Fiesta Chicken Pasta Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by iewe7726

Categories     Chicken

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 (8 ounce) package Suddenly Salad Pasta Salad Mix (classic flavor)
1/3 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup green bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 green onions, chopped
1 cup cooked chicken, chopped
tortilla chips
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
salsa

Steps:

  • Empty pasta mix into 3-quart saucepan 2/3 full of boiling water. Gently boil about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Drain pasta; rinse in cold water. Shake to drain.
  • Stir together Seasoning mix, sour cream, water and chili powder in large bowl. Stir in pasta-vegetable mixture, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion and Parmesan Topping. Stir in chicken.
  • Serve over tortilla chips and top with cheese and salsa.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 166.1, Fat 10.9, SaturatedFat 5.8, Cholesterol 51, Sodium 138.8, Carbohydrate 3.8, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 2.4, Protein 13.3

FIESTA CHICKEN PASTA SALAD



Fiesta Chicken Pasta Salad image

Bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and green onions add color and nutrition to this creamy pasta salad.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 package Betty Crocker™ Suddenly Salad® classic pasta salad mix
1/3 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup cherry tomato halves
1/2 cup julienne strips green bell pepper
2 green onions, chopped
1 cup cubed cooked chicken or roast beef
Tortilla chips
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
Old El Paso™ salsa (any variety)

Steps:

  • Empty pasta mix into 3-quart saucepan 2/3 full of boiling water. Gently boil about 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Drain pasta; rinse in cold water. Shake to drain.
  • Stir together Seasoning mix, sour cream, water and chili powder in large bowl. Stir in pasta-vegetable mixture, tomatoes, bell pepper and onion. Stir in chicken.
  • Line serving plate with tortilla chips. Mound salad onto chips; sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Serve with salsa. Refrigerate any remaining salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 340, Carbohydrate 45 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 23 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1090 mg

FIESTA RANCH CHICKEN PASTA SALAD RECIPE - (4.3/5)



Fiesta Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe - (4.3/5) image

Provided by dlroos

Number Of Ingredients 15

Dressing:
1 package of pasta (rotini, bowtie, tri-colored, etc)
3 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and diced (I usually use a rotisserie chicken)
1 packet taco seasoning mix
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 package frozen corn
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 can of olives, sliced
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 cups mayonnaise
1 cup buttermilk
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Fiesta dip mix

Steps:

  • Cook pasta, drain and cool. Add all of the other ingredients and then mix up the dressing. Add dressing to the salad and keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Right before serving, add in Frito corn chips to taste. Enjoy!

CREAMY FIESTA PASTA SALAD



CREAMY FIESTA PASTA SALAD image

Categories     Pasta

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 box (16 oz.) bow tie or twist pasta
1 bottle (8 oz.) Wish-Bone® Ranch Dressing
1 pint grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved
1 medium cucumber, seeded and chopped (about 1 cup)
1 medium avocado, peeled and cut into chunks (optional)
1/2 cup chopped green or red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped red onion

Steps:

  • 1. Cook bow ties according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water until completely cooled. 2. In large bowl, toss all ingredients. Season, if desired, with salt and ground black pepper. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Also terrific with Wish-Bone® Garlic Ranch Dressing or Wish-Bone® Spring Onion Ranch Dressing. Preparation Time: 25 Minutes(s) Cook Time: 20 Minutes(s)

Tips:

  • Use a variety of pasta shapes. This will add visual interest and texture to your salad.
  • Choose a flavorful dressing. A good dressing will bring all the flavors of the salad together.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is the best choice for pasta salad.
  • Let the salad cool completely before serving. This will help the flavors to meld together.
  • Add fresh herbs at the end. This will brighten up the flavors of the salad.

Conclusion:

Fiesta pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It's perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings. With endless variations, you can customize it to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give fiesta pasta salad a try!

Related Topics