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Recipe by:

Dana Ramsey

Vibrant Cowboy Pasta Salad for Holiday Gatherings

This Cowboy Pasta Salad is a colorful, robust dish perfect for holiday gatherings, balancing flavors with fresh vegetables and creamy ranch dressing.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Group: Ingredients
  • 16 oz. rotini pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn, drained
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers
  • ½ cup red onion, diced
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • ½ cup ranch dressing
  • 2 Tbsp. lime juice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Sliced jalapeños (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro (optional)

Method
 

  1. Start by filling a large pot with salted water and bringing it to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to halt the cooking process and keep the pasta firm.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, toss together the cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, bell peppers, red onion, and shredded cheese.
  3. Once the pasta has cooled, combine it with the veggies in the mixing bowl. Drizzle in the ranch dressing and lime juice, then stir gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
  4. Add salt and pepper to taste. Allow the salad to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

This salad is best when allowed to chill before serving as it enhances the flavors and texture.