southwest pasta salad

Whitewater, WI
Updated on May 2, 2016

I was asked to bring a salad to a funeral and I combined a few different recipes to come up with this. I've made this with garlic-infused olive oil and used less garlic salt. Fresh minced garlic can be used instead, if desired.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

This simple pasta salad recipe is bursting with flavors. There's spice from the Rotel and tomatoes, a slight sweetness from the corn, and a wonderful crunch from the veggies. The best part is the homemade salad dressing recipe. It has the perfect balance of tang and spice. Great for a picnic, BBQ, or potluck.

prep time 20 Min
cook time
method Stove Top
yield 8-10 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 3 cups radiatore pasta, dry
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 1 medium red pepper, chopped (any color is ok)
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • 1 stalk celery, chopped
  • 1 can red kidney beans (15 oz) drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
  • 1 can rotel tomatoes with chilis (approx. 12 oz)
  • 1/3 - 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 - 1/3 cup lime (or lemon) juice
  • 1 tablespoon garlic salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (or stevia)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder, or to taste
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

How To Make southwest pasta salad

Test Kitchen Tips
Keep an eye on the pasta. It cooks very quickly and you want to make sure not to overcook.
  • A bag of pasta.
    Step 1
    Boil pasta as directed on package.
  • Cooked pasta in colander.
    Step 2
    Rinse and put in a large bowl.
  • Veggies added to cooked pasta.
    Step 3
    Add all veggies.
  • Ingredients for the pasta marinade.
    Step 4
    Combine oil, vinegar, lemon juice, seasonings, and cilantro. Stir into pasta mixture. Taste to see if additional salt is needed. Let chill a few hours to blend flavors.
  • Step 5
    NOTE: to make this have more fiber and fewer carbs, use 2 cans of beans. Or, use less pasta.

Discover More

Category: Pasta Salads
Keyword: #corn
Keyword: #cilantro
Keyword: #celery
Keyword: #red pepper
Keyword: #pasta
Ingredient: Pasta
Culture: American
Method: Stove Top

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