Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

southwestern style pasta salad

Recipe by
sherry monfils
worcester, MA

The only time I eat at McDonald's is to get their southwestern salad w/ chicken. It's so damn good I figured why not just make my own at home? So I did!! Much better!!

yield 8 serving(s)
prep time 2 Hr 25 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For southwestern style pasta salad

  • 1 c
    hidden valley ranch southwestern style salad dressing, or krafts
  • 1 tsp
    cumin
  • 1/2 tsp
    salt
  • 1-1/2 c
    whole kernel corn
  • 1
    15 oz can bush's southwestern style black beans, drained
  • 1/2 c
    diced green bell pepper
  • 1/2 c
    diced red bell pepper
  • 1/4 c
    finely chopped cilantro leaves
  • 1 c
    chopped plum tomatoes
  • 1-1/2 c
    cooked, cubed chicken breast, optional
  • 1 box
    whole grain rotini pasta

How To Make southwestern style pasta salad

  • 1
    Cook pasta as directed, drain, let cool. In medium bowl, whisk together dressing, cumin and salt. You can use more or less dressing, depending on your tastes.
  • 2
    In lg bowl, combine bell peppers, beans and cilantro. Stir in cooled pasta. Gently stir in dressing.
  • 3
    Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hrs. Before serving, stir and add more dressing as needed. I serve this salad w/ a bowl of tortilla strips that have been baked or you can buy the packaged kind.
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