southwest layered pasta salad

Name: Southwest Layered Pasta Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: Depends on the amounts you use
Cuisine: Southwestern
Ingredients: some - pasta; cooked, rinsed in cool water, drained (wagon wheel pasta is a nice touch) 1/2 pound of uncooked pasta makes enough for 4-6 servings; some - salad dressing (ranch or chipotle ranch are my favorites); some - shredded or chopped lettuce; some - tomato chunks; some - sliced black olives; some - chopped onion; some - chopped peppers (green, jalapeno, etc...); some - cooked corn, drained & cooled; some - black beans; cooked, rinsed in cool water, & drained; some - shredded or small chunks of cheese (pepper jack, colby jack, cheddar, etc...); some - crumbled fritos; ## OTHER OPTIONS TO CONSIDER...; some - chicken strips or chunks, seasoned with southwestern spices; some - salsa; some - sour cream; some - crumbled bacon or bacon bits; some - ranch-flavored croutons, instead of crumbled fritos

(1 RATING)

76 Pinches 7 Photos

Fran Miller

Parkersburg, WV

Updated on Aug 18, 2013

After the popularity of my Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad (Thank you, JAP chefs!), I thought I'd develop another salad dish, this time with a Southwestern tang. As always, choose the ingredients your family loves and realize that the amounts are always your choice. I'm just going to list what I do and give you some more options. Please share your variations! =^..^=

Rate

prep time 15 Min

cook time 15 Min

method No-Cook or Other

yield Depends on the amounts you use

Ingredients

some pasta; cooked, rinsed in cool water, drained (wagon wheel pasta is a nice touch) 1/2 pound of uncooked pasta makes enough for 4-6 servings
some salad dressing (ranch or chipotle ranch are my favorites)
some shredded or chopped lettuce
some tomato chunks
some sliced black olives
some chopped onion
some chopped peppers (green, jalapeno, etc...)
some cooked corn, drained & cooled
some black beans; cooked, rinsed in cool water, & drained
some shredded or small chunks of cheese (pepper jack, colby jack, cheddar, etc...)
some crumbled fritos
OTHER OPTIONS TO CONSIDER...
some chicken strips or chunks, seasoned with southwestern spices
some salsa
some sour cream
some crumbled bacon or bacon bits
some ranch-flavored croutons, instead of crumbled fritos

How To Make southwest layered pasta salad

Step 1

While pasta is cooking, prepare your chopped vegetables. If using canned corn or black beans, just rinse & drain well. Cover & refrigerate until ready to assemble the salad.

Step 2

Mix the drained & cooled pasta with some of the salad dressing. Cover and refrigerate if you are not ready to eat.
Step 3

When it's time for dinner, layer the pasta, then the vegetables, in a large pasta bowl or individual salad plates.
Step 4

Top with crumbled Fritos and shredded cheese.
Step 5

Decisions, decisions... Will you top with more salad dressing or possibly salsa & sour cream?
Step 6

Whatever you decide, enjoy!
Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

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