Southwest Pasta Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing

This easy Southwest Pasta Salad could be a meal all on its own! Loaded with great southwest ingredients like, beans, corn, peppers, cilantro, and much more. All dressed with the creamiest Avocado Ranch Dressing.

I don’t think I’ve ever come across a pasta salad I didn’t enjoy. There are so many variations with delicious dressings to go with them. They are easy to make and most people love pasta salad, so it’s usually a safe dish to share with others.

Southwest Pasta Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing is probably my top 3 favorite pasta salads right now. It has tons, and I mean tons of goodies like corn, beans, olives, cheese, cilantro, tomatoes and peppers. It’s dressed with a thick and creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing that has a bold zesty flavor everyone will love.

Ingredients For Southwest Pasta Salad with Avocado Dressing:

For the salad-

• Spiral pasta
• Black beans
• Corn
• Bell peppers
• Red onion
• Cilantro
• Black olives
• Tomatoes
• Cheddar cheese

For the dressing-

• Avocado
• Plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• Ranch mix or 1 tablespoon Homemade
• Chili powder
• Lime
• Avocado oil
• Honey
• Cilantro
• White vinegar
• Cayenne pepper (optional)

Add Shredded Chicken For A Complete Meal:

This salad is great as is. Try adding extra protein like shredded rotisserie chicken for a complete and filling meal.

Want it spicy?

Add a small chopped jalapeno, seeded, and membranes removed for a little extra heat. 

Making Southwest Pasta Salad is Easy and fast:

Step 1. Add Avocado Ranch Dressing ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend until thick and creamy. For a thinner dressing add a splash of water.

Step 2. Combine pasta salad ingredients with half of the avocado dressing in a large bowl until pasta and veggies are well coated. Use more dressing as needed.

Storing Pasta Salad:

Refrigerate pasta salad in a sealed container until ready to eat. Toss again with a little more dressing just before serving.

We love to serve this salad with grilled chicken or burgers, or make a batch to enjoy during the weekday for easy lunches.

Other recipes you might enjoy:

• Pasta Primavera
• Bruschetta Pasta Salad with Sweet Balsamic Dressing
• Easy Cauliflower Salad (low carb)

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I appreciate your comments and reviews! Be sure to leave a comment or rating below for suggestions, questions, or if you make the recipe. I’d love to know how it turned out for you!

Let’s eat!🤍

Southwest Pasta Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing

This easy Southwest Pasta Salad could be a meal all on its own! Loaded with great southwest ingredients like, beans, corn, peppers, cilantro, and much more. All dressed with the creamiest Avocado Ranch Dressing.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish, Sides

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 5

Calories: 386kcal

Ingredients

Pasta Salad

• 12 oz spiral pasta (or medium shaped pasta) cooked according to package instructions.
• 1 (15oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup canned or thawed frozen corn
• 1 cup bell peppers, diced small (any color)
• 1/4 cup red onion, diced small
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 2.5 oz can sliced black olives
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Avocado Dressing

• 1 large ripe avocado
• 1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp powdered ranch mix
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• 1 lime, juiced
• 4 tbsp avocado or olive oil
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• pinch of cayenne pepper optional

Instructions

Avocado Dressing

• Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Place in fridge until ready to use.

Pasta Salad

• Add cooked pasta to a large bowl and add all the pasta salad ingredients. Pour about 1/2 to 3/4 of the avocado dressing over the top and toss gently until well coated. Use more dressing if needed. Serve immediately or place in fridge until ready to serve.
• Pasta salad will keep for 2-3 days in refrigerator, Add more dressing if desired.

Notes

Tips:

Add chicken- Shredded chicken is a great way to add more protein. I like to use a store-bought rotisserie to make it even easier. 

Extra spice- Add a small chopped jalapeno, seeded and membrane removed for a little extra heat. 

Beans- Use other beans like red kidney, pinto or garbanzo.

Pasta- Any medium shape pasta will work for this pasta salad – bowtie, penne, fusille, etc..

Storing pasta salad- Refrigerate pasta salad in a sealed container until ready to eat. Toss again with a little more dressing just before serving.

 

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be understood as an estimate rather than a guarantee. The Menu Maid makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 386kcal

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