Best 7 Zesty Southwestern Pasta Salad Recipes
Tantalize your taste buds with our delectable Zesty Southwestern Pasta Salad, a vibrant fusion of flavors and textures that will transport you to the vibrant landscapes of the American Southwest. This refreshing salad boasts a medley of tender pasta, succulent grilled chicken, crisp bell peppers, sweet corn, and black beans, all tossed in a tangy dressing that bursts with zesty Southwestern spices. Accompany your meal with our equally enticing side dishes: a creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing for a rich and flavorful twist, a refreshing Cucumber Salad for a light and crunchy complement, and a delectable Grilled Corn on the Cob, perfectly charred and slathered in a savory herb butter. Embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the bold and vibrant spirit of the Southwest with this irresistible collection of recipes.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
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 CHICKEN PASTA SALAD
Combining the coolness of a salad and the zesty seasonings of pizza, this salad is perfect for a summer get together. Megan Moore, Memphis, Tennessee
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 55m
Yield 14 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse with cold water and drain well. In a large serving bowl, combine the cheese, chicken, peppers, mushrooms, olives, green onions, pepperoni and pasta. , In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Toss before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 300 calories, Fat 17g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 36mg cholesterol, Sodium 415mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 14g protein.
CREAMY SOUTHWEST RANCH PASTA SALAD RECIPE
Steps:
- Place a large pot of salted water over high heat. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile chop all necessary ingredients.
- Set out a large salad bowl. Add in the cooked pasta, black beans, tomatoes, corn, chopped bell pepper, onion, cilantro, olives, and jalapeno.
- In a separate bowl (or measuring pitcher) combine the ranch dressing, lime juice, chili powder, and cumin. Mix well. Then taste, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix the dressing into the pasta salad and gently stir until well coated.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. (Allowing the pasta salad ingredients to rest with the dressing longer creates a better overall flavor.)
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 cup, Calories 322 kcal, Carbohydrate 45 g, Protein 9 g, Fat 12 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 7 mg, Sodium 339 mg, Fiber 6 g, Sugar 3 g
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
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.
SPICY SOUTHWEST PASTA SALAD
While browsing for a pasta salad recipe, I found Inez Willenborg's Homestyle Macaroni Salad. It sounded good, but I didn't have all the ingredients, so I improvised and came up with this one. We absolutely loved it. Thank you, Inez, for the recipe that was the inspiration for this winner.
Provided by PanNan
Categories Southwestern U.S.
Time 20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until tender.
- Drain pasta and rinse with cold water.
- Combine all remaining ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add pasta and stir until the pasta is coated.
- Refrigerate at least an hour before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 306.5, Fat 8.1, SaturatedFat 2, Cholesterol 134.7, Sodium 586.1, Carbohydrate 46.2, Fiber 2.6, Sugar 4.5, Protein 12
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
Tips
- Choose the right pasta: Short pastas like penne, rotini, or fusilli are ideal for pasta salads as they hold the dressing well.
- Cook the pasta al dente: This means cooking it until it is slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will become mushy in the salad.
- Prepare the dressing in advance: This allows the flavors to meld and develop. You can make the dressing up to 2 days ahead of time.
- Don't overcrowd the pasta: When adding the cooked pasta to the dressing, make sure there is enough room for the pasta to absorb the dressing.
- Add vegetables and other ingredients: Vegetables like cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and corn add color and crunch to the salad. You can also add protein sources like grilled chicken or shrimp.
- Chill the salad before serving: This helps the flavors to blend and the salad to firm up.
Conclusion
Zesty Southwestern Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for summer gatherings. With its combination of zesty dressing, colorful vegetables, and tender pasta, this salad is sure to be a hit. So next time you're looking for a light and easy meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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