Mexican Pasta Salad Recipes

MEXICAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Rinsing with cold water will help prevent it from sticking together. Set aside and allow to cool and dry completely. When dry, add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green onions, onion and cilantro. In a separate bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients and add to pasta mixture.
• Stir together until everything is evenly coated in sauce. You can either stir the Feta cheese into the salad or use it as a garnish on top. Taste and adjust any ingredients as needed. Refrigerate until ready to use. This is best served on the day it is made. Serves 8-12 people.

MEXICAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the pasta (al dente) During approximately the last 2 minutes of cooking time, add the corn.
• While the pasta/corn mixture is cooking, combine all other ingredients (except for the cheese) in a large bowl.
• Drain the pasta and corn.
• Rinse the pasta and corn in cold water until the mixture is cool or cold.
• Add the pasta/corn mixture to the other ingredients and mix.
• Before serving, sprinkle mixture with shredded cheese.
• (OPTIONAL) If you are vegan, do not complete this step.
• *Please note, I have also added other vegetables, such as fresh and frozen chopped broccoli (add to pasta cooking process like the corn), fresh chopped cauliflower, etc.
• You can also add cooked, diced or chopped chicken (great for leftovers).

MEXICAN FIESTA PASTA SALAD

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.

MEXICAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• PASTA: Prepare the pasta according to package directions. (Don't cook all the pasta; only use 3 cups!) Make sure to generously salt the water (I add 1 teaspoon to every 4 cups of water), or the whole salad will taste under-seasoned. If using frozen corn, add it in with the pasta for the last minute of boiling. Drain pasta, rinse under cold water, let cool, and allow to dry. Optional: toss the pasta in a few tablespoons of the dressing as it finishes cooling.
• FRESH CORN: If using fresh corn, either grill the corn (our favorite way) or cut the corn off the cob raw and add to salad (still delicious!). If grilling the corn, see Note 1.
• VEGGIE PREP: Meanwhile, drain and rinse one cup of black beans. Chop/prepare all the veggies.
• SALAD: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, corn, black beans, sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, onion, and cilantro. Add avocado last (and only to what you are eating; don't add to any salad you have planned for leftovers).
• DRESSING: In a resealable jar, combine all of the dressing ingredients. Shake until combined. Pour the dressing over the salad, slowly (You may not want to use all the dressing at once; it's nice to have some to moisten the salad again as it sits - so add it in gradually). Toss to combine.
• MAKE AHEAD: Mix the ingredients and the dressing separately. Store in airtight containers in the fridge and then combine when ready to eat. Add the avocado last!

MEXICAN MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• For the salad: Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain and set aside to cool.
• Heat an indoor grill and brush with oil. Cook the ears of corn, turning, until browned and cooked through. Cut the kernels off the cobs.
• Put the corn in a big bowl with the black beans, olives, tomatoes, green onions and red onions and toss to combine.
• For the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the salsa, sour cream, mayonnaise, cumin and salt and pepper to taste. Pour over the salad ingredients and fold together until everything is coated. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• Serve chilled.

MEXICALI PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook the rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain.
• Mix black beans, corn, green chilies, red bell pepper, Italian dressing, Mexican cheese, green onions, cilantro, onion, taco seasoning, and lime juice together in a bowl. Add rotini and lightly stir to combine.

MEXICAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook fusilli pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Rinse pasta with cold water to cool. Drain pasta well. Transfer pasta to large bowl. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil and mix thoroughly to coat. Add shredded chicken or turkey, diced tomatoes, corn kernels, carrot strips and chopped onion and toss.
• Mix Dijon mustard and fresh lime juice in small bowl. Gradually mix in remaining 1/3 cup olive oil. Mix in minced jalapeño chilies, chili powder and ground cumin. Add dressing and chopped fresh cilantro to salad and mix to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Salad can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

MEXICAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Combine first 5 ingredients in large bowl.
• Mix dressing, seasoning mix and lime juice until blended. Add to salad; toss until evenly coated.
• Add cheese and cilantro; mix lightly.

MEXICAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Rinse with cold water; drain.
• In very large bowl, mix pasta and remaining ingredients. Cover; refrigerate 1 to 2 hours to blend flavors.

MEXICAN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, rinse, and set aside.
• Combine all vegetables in a large bowl.
• Combine all dressing ingredients; stir thoroughly.
• Pour dressing over salad; toss to coat.
• Chill 1 hour, then serve.
• Note: Instead of mixing lettuce into salad, you can layer it on top to keep it from wilting.