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Southwest Pasta Salad

Southwest Pasta Salad: Fresh, Flavorful, and Totally Customizable

This Southwest Pasta Salad combines tender rotini pasta, fresh vegetables, and grilled chicken, all tossed in a zesty chipotle ranch dressing for a versatile dish perfect for any gathering.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 oz Rotini Pasta Can substitute with other medium-sized noodles.
  • 1 can Black Beans Drained and rinsed.
  • 1 cup Corn Fresh corn is best when in season.
  • 1 Bell Pepper Diced, any variety.
  • 1/2 medium Red Onion Can substitute with green onions.
  • 1 cup Cherry or Grape Tomatoes Halved.
  • 1/4 cup Cilantro Chopped, or substitute with parsley.
  • 1 cup Grilled Chicken Chopped; omit for vegetarian option.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Chipotle Ranch Dressing Or use regular ranch for a milder flavor.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Spatula

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Southwest Pasta Salad
  1. Cook the pasta by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook as per package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
  2. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, then let cool.
  3. Prepare vegetables: drain and rinse black beans and corn; dice bell pepper and red onion; halve cherry tomatoes; chop cilantro; chop grilled chicken, if using.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and grilled chicken. Toss gently.
  5. Pour chipotle ranch dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
  6. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
  7. After chilling, stir, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 15gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 8gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 900IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This salad is perfect for meal prepping and can be customized with seasonal ingredients to fit your taste preferences.

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