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Southwest Pasta Salad

Bright & Zesty Southwest Pasta Salad for Easy Summer Meals

A vibrant Southwest Pasta Salad filled with fresh vegetables, protein, and a creamy dressing, perfect for summer meals.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta and Beans
  • 8 ounces Rotini Pasta Feel free to swap for any medium pasta.
  • 15 ounces Black Beans Use canned for quick preparation.
For the Vegetables
  • 1 cup Corn Fresh or canned will work.
  • 1 medium Bell Pepper Any variety can be used.
  • 1 small Red Onion Substitute with green onions if desired.
  • 1 cup Cherry or Grape Tomatoes Diced regular tomatoes can be a great alternative.
  • 1/4 cup Cilantro Can be omitted or replaced with parsley.
For the Protein
  • 1 cup Grilled Chicken Skip for a vegetarian twist.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Chipotle Ranch Dressing Regular ranch is a substitute for milder taste.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Spatula

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, typically around 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, gather and prepare your fresh ingredients. Drain and rinse the black beans and corn. Dice the bell pepper and red onion, slice the cherry tomatoes, and chop the cilantro and grilled chicken.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta, black beans, corn, diced bell pepper, red onion, halved tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and grilled chicken. Gently toss all the ingredients together.
  4. Drizzle the chipotle ranch dressing over the combined ingredients in the bowl. Stir well to coat all components thoroughly, ensuring each bite is infused with the dressing.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Overnight is preferable for the best results.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 20gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 10gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For maximum flavor, allow the salad to chill for at least 1 hour, and drain well to avoid excess moisture.

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