Best 5 Southwestern Macaroni Salad Recipes

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Calling all pasta salad lovers! Get ready to embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant flavors of the Southwest with our tantalizing Southwestern Macaroni Salad. This delightful dish is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that will tantalize your taste buds from the first bite.

This recipe uses classic macaroni as its base, which is perfectly complemented by a medley of colorful vegetables like crunchy bell peppers, sweet corn, juicy black beans, and refreshing cucumber. The secret lies in the zesty dressing, a harmonious fusion of tangy lime juice, earthy cumin, smoky paprika, and a hint of heat from chili powder, all coming together to create an explosion of flavors.

But that's not all! To further entice your palate, we're presenting a trio of delectable variations that will elevate your Southwestern Macaroni Salad experience to new heights. For those who love a touch of smokiness, our Chipotle Ranch Dressing adds an extra layer of depth and complexity. If you're craving a creamy indulgence, our Creamy Avocado Dressing provides a rich and velvety texture that beautifully complements the crisp vegetables. And for those who prefer a classic twist, our Traditional Vinaigrette Dressing offers a light and tangy balance that will keep you coming back for more.

Whether you're planning a summer picnic, a potluck gathering, or simply a delightful meal at home, our Southwestern Macaroni Salad, with its vibrant variations, will undoubtedly be the star of the show. So, gather your ingredients, let's embark on this culinary adventure, and create a salad that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy!

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD



Southwestern Pasta Salad image

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

½ (16 ounce) package rotini pasta
⅓ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons chili powder, or to taste
2 teaspoons ground cumin
½ teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 ½ cups whole kernel corn
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
½ cup diced green bell pepper
½ cup diced red bell pepper
½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
1 cup chopped roma (plum) tomatoes

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 MACARONI SALAD



Southwestern Macaroni Salad image

From Standish, Maine, Nancy Clancy writes, "This salad is like having salsa mixed with macaroni--it's yummy! It serves a lot, which makes it a great side for any gathering. I sometimes add a little cayenne pepper for those who like it hot.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 package (16 ounces) uncooked elbow macaroni
1 pound cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, tomatoes, corn, green pepper, red onion and olives., In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the lime juice, oil, vinegar and seasonings; shake well. Pour over pasta mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 163 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 205mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

SOUTHWEST MACARONI SALAD



Southwest Macaroni Salad image

Found this in the Dallas Morning News and wanted to save. This recipes uses healthy pasta and reduced-fat ingredients.

Provided by TXOLDHAM

Categories     < 30 Mins

Time 30m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 (14 1/2 ounce) box barillaplus rotini pasta
1 tablespoon lime peel, finely grated
3 tablespoons lime juice, fresh
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half (or grape tomatoes)
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, made with 2 percent milk, finely shredded
2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
2 medium green onions, sliced
1 (16 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained
1 (1 ounce) packet ranch dressing mix, use 1/2 package
1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/2 cup nonfat milk
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup light sour cream

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to directions on the package. Rinse with cold water to cool and drain .
  • In a small bowl whisk together the ranch salad dressing mix, buttermilk, fat-free milk, light mayo and light sour cream. Stir in lime juice, lime peel and taco seasoning mix.
  • In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with tomatoes, beans, cheese, green onions and green chilies. Pour dressing mixture over the salad and toss gently to mix.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 351.2, Fat 6.8, SaturatedFat 2.6, Cholesterol 13.2, Sodium 132.3, Carbohydrate 57.6, Fiber 6.7, Sugar 4.6, Protein 15.2

SOUTHWESTERN RANCH PASTA SALAD



Southwestern Ranch Pasta Salad image

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

1 box Betty Crocker™ Suddenly Salad® classic pasta salad mix
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup spicy ranch or regular ranch dressing
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 1/2 cups small broccoli florets
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Tortilla chips, if desired

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



Southwestern Pasta Salad image

A delicious pasta salad that is a change of pace from the typical ones you see served often. Prep time does not include chilling time of 2 hours.

Provided by JackieOhNo

Categories     Black Beans

Time 20m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups uncooked rotini pasta (8 oz.)
1 cup frozen sweet corn
1 (16 ounce) jar medium garlic-cilantro salsa (I use Muir Glen organic)
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained, rinsed
1 (2 1/4 ounce) can sliced ripe olives, drained

Steps:

  • Cook pasta as directed on package, 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 257, Fat 8.5, SaturatedFat 1.2, Sodium 590.1, Carbohydrate 38.8, Fiber 6.2, Sugar 3.8, Protein 8.7

Tips:

- For the best flavor, use high-quality ingredients. Fresh vegetables, flavorful cheese, and a zesty dressing will make all the difference. - Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is the perfect texture for macaroni salad. - If you're using a store-bought dressing, be sure to taste it before adding it to the salad. You may want to adjust the flavor with some additional spices or herbs. - Be careful not to overmix the salad. You don't want the pasta to become mushy. - Serve the salad immediately or chill it for later. Macaroni salad is best when served cold.

Conclusion:

Southwestern macaroni salad is a delicious and easy-to-make side dish that's perfect for any occasion. With its bold flavors and colorful ingredients, this salad is sure to be a hit at your next potluck or backyard barbecue. So next time you're looking for a new side dish, give southwestern macaroni salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

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