Best Cuban Pasta Salad Recipes

Cuban Chicken Pasta Salad image

Provided by hellokitty1

Categories Cuban

Time 15m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

Steps:

Nutrition Facts : Calories 501.1, Fat 16.6, SaturatedFat 2.8, Cholesterol 25.6, Sodium 686, Carbohydrate 71.4, Fiber 2.8, Sugar 4.5, Protein 16.1

Cuban Pasta Salad image

Provided by @MakeItYours

Number Of Ingredients 32

1 1/4 Pounds Pork Tenderloin
1 Teaspoon Dry Ground Mustard
1 1/2 Teaspoons Dry Oregano
1 1/2 Teaspoons Cumin
1 Teaspoon Salt
Juice of 1 Orange
Juice of 1 Lemon
For the Pasta Salad
20 oz. Orecchiette Pasta
1 1/2 Cups Cubed Ham * see note
2 Cups Swiss Cheese, Cubed
1 1/2 Pints Cherry Tomatoes, Halved
1 Cup Chopped Dill Pickles
1/2 Cup Red onion, Thinly Sliced
3 Cups Chopped, Packed Romaine Lettuce
1/4-1/3 Cup Chopped Cilantro
For the Dressing
1 1/3 Cup Canola oil
2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
Zest of 2 Oranges
Juice of 2 Oranges
Zest of 2 Limes
Juice of 2 Limes
2 Teaspoons Dried Oregano
1 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
1 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
1 Tablespoon plus 1 Teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Teaspoon Sugar
4 Teaspoons Mayonnaise
2 1/2 Teaspoons Dijon (or regular) Mustard

Steps:

You have two options for preparing the pork tenderloin. If you have an instant pot, sprinkle all of the seasonings over the pork.
Squeeze the orange and lemon juice into the instant pot and place the pork in.
Turn the valve to seal and close the lid. Set the time to 10 minutes at high pressure. Allow a natural release and remove the pork.
Make sure the pork rests for 8 minutes and then slice into 1" cubes.
Drizzle oil in a pan over medium high heat and crisp the pork cubes, scraping up any brown bits in the pan and placing everything on a plate to cool. The crispy pieces in the pan are essential, don't throw them out!
Heat the oven to 400 and prepare as above. Bake for 18-20 minutes and proceed as above.
Heat a large pot of water over medium high heat with a few pinches of salt so the pasta is seasoned. Cook pasta al dente, this is essential for pasta salad, it must never be over cooked pasta.
Drain and rinse in cold water. Set aside.
Prepare all other ingredients and add to a large bowl with the pasta.
Add the dressing and toss to coat.
Serve immediately.
In a glass measuring cup, whisk together all ingredients until smooth.