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southwest layered pasta salad

(1 rating)
TchrLdy71 avatar
Recipe by
Fran Miller
@TchrLdy71
Parkersburg, WV

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! =^..^=

(1 rating)
yield serving(s)
prep time 15 Min
cook time 15 Min
method No-Cook or Other

Ingredients For southwest layered pasta salad

  • 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

  • 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.
  • 2
    Mix the drained & cooled pasta with some of the salad dressing. Cover and refrigerate if you are not ready to eat.
  • 3
    When it's time for dinner, layer the pasta, then the vegetables, in a large pasta bowl or individual salad plates.
  • 4
    Top with crumbled Fritos and shredded cheese.
  • 5
    Decisions, decisions... Will you top with more salad dressing or possibly salsa & sour cream?
  • 6
    Whatever you decide, enjoy!
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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