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Southwest Pasta Salad

Flavor-Packed Southwest Pasta Salad That's Perfect for Summer

Enjoy a vibrant and customizable Southwest Pasta Salad, perfect for summer gatherings and packed with delicious flavors.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 23 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Southwestern
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 ounces Rotini Pasta cooked according to package instructions
  • 1 can Black Beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup Corn canned corn works perfectly
  • 1 medium Bell Pepper any variety, diced finely
  • 1 small Red Onion chopped into small pieces
  • 1 cup Cherry or Grape Tomatoes halved
  • 1/4 cup Cilantro chopped, adjust based on taste
  • 1 cup Grilled Chicken chopped into bite-sized pieces
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Chipotle Ranch Dressing or regular ranch as substitute

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Cutting Board
  • Knife
  • Large mixing bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil, add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, drain the black beans and corn, then rinse. Dice the bell pepper and red onion, halve the tomatoes, chop the cilantro, and cut the grilled chicken if using.
  3. Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl and add the beans, corn, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and chicken. Gently mix together.
  4. Drizzle the chipotle ranch dressing over the combined ingredients and toss until evenly coated. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
  5. Before serving, give the salad a light toss, transfer it to a serving bowl, and enjoy it cold.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 15gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 10gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 15mg

Notes

Chill for a few hours or overnight for the best flavor infusion. Ingredient flexibility allows for customization based on seasonal availability.

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