Cheesy Southwest Pasta Salad Recipes

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD

Southwestern Pasta Salad image

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

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon salsa
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package (16 ounces) uncooked spiral or cavatappi pasta
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cans (2-1/4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 small green pepper, finely chopped
1 small sweet red pepper, finely chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, divided
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and sliced

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

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN AND PASTA CASSEROLE

Make-Ahead Cheesy Southwest Chicken and Pasta Casserole image

Plan ahead and put this party-ready casserole in the freezer for your next big get-together! Once it's thawed, top with tortilla chips, and bake for a cheesy-crunchy crowd pleaser that packs tons of flavor and just the right amount of heat.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories Entree

Time 1h25m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium poblano chile, chopped (3/4 cup)
1 medium jalapeño chile, seeded and finely chopped
3 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix
2 cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
4 oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
4 1/2 cups uncooked bow-tie (farfalle) pasta (12 oz)
2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken
1 cup Cascadian Farm™ organic frozen corn (from 10-oz bag)
1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed
1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ mild red enchilada sauce
1 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips (about 6 oz)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup chopped red onion

Steps:

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In 4-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in onion, bell pepper, poblano and jalapeño chiles; cook about 6 minutes or until vegetables are softened. Stir in flour and taco seasoning mix; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually beat in broth with whisk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in cream cheese and Cheddar cheese.
Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package for minimum cook time. Drain; stir pasta into sauce with chicken, frozen corn and black beans. Pour pasta mixture into baking dish, and pour enchilada sauce over top.
Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with tortilla chips. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through and sauce is bubbling around edges. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro and red onion just before serving.
To freeze: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with foil, making sure foil is as smooth as possible, as wrinkled foil may get stuck in sauce during freezing process. Leave enough overhang to lift casserole out of dish. Spray foil with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate sauce 30 to 40 minutes before assembling casserole. Mix sauce with cooked pasta, chicken, frozen corn and beans; spread in lined baking dish (do not add enchilada sauce); cover tightly with another layer of foil. Freeze unbaked casserole about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen casserole to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Remove foil, and transfer to 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and thaw in refrigerator until completely thawed, at least 48 hours. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove cover, and top with enchilada sauce. Bake 20 minutes; top with crushed tortilla chips. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly around edges (165°F in center). Let stand 15 minutes. Top with cilantro and red onion just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 490, Carbohydrate 61 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 7 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 910 mg, Sugar 5 g, TransFat 0 g

CREAMY SOUTHWEST RANCH PASTA SALAD RECIPE

Creamy Southwest Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe image

This recipe for refreshing and delicious make ahead Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad has lots of Southwest flair like black beans, corn, and bold spices.

Provided by Sommer Collier

Categories Appetizer Salad Side Dish

Time 23m

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 pound small pasta (we used fusilli)
15 ounce black beans (drained)
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 cup frozen corn (thawed)
1 red bell pepper (seeded and chopped)
½ cup chopped red onion
½ cup chopped cilantro
3 ounce sliced black olives (drained)
1 jalapeno (seeded and diced (optional))
1 cup thick creamy ranch dressing
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
½ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper

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