Best Texas Style Pasta Salad Recipes

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TEX-MEX PASTA SALAD



Tex-Mex Pasta Salad image

I first made this for my husband to take for a guy's skiing weekend. He didn't want a 'girlie' pasta salad, so this one has taco beef and cheese. Very hearty, and a big hit with all the guys. I have since brought it to a family reunion....now they request it every year!

Provided by Jennifer Sánchez

Categories     Salad     Pasta Salad

Time 1h35m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 (16 ounce) package fusilli pasta
2 pounds extra lean ground beef
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (24 ounce) jar mild salsa
1 (8 ounce) bottle ranch dressing
1 ½ red bell peppers, chopped
6 green onions, chopped
¾ cup chopped pickled jalapeno peppers
1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced black olives
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Fill a large pot with water; pour in the olive oil and salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in the fusilli, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in the ground beef. Cook and stir until the beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease. Mix in taco seasoning mix, remove from heat, and cool completely.
  • Combine salsa, ranch dressing, bell peppers, green onions, jalapenos, and black olives in a medium bowl. Toss together the cooked pasta, cooled beef mixture, Cheddar cheese, and dressing mixture in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 596.8 calories, Carbohydrate 43.2 g, Cholesterol 84.9 mg, Fat 34 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 29.9 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, Sodium 1540.9 mg, Sugar 6.3 g

COWBOY CAVIAR PASTA SALAD



Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad image

The popular, Texas-inspired cowboy caviar can take the form of dip, garnish, side dish and more, but in this recipe, it becomes a complete meal, and one that's much better than anything you'd find in the grocer's deli case. Packed with vegetables, beans and pasta, and dressed in a light and tangy dressing, it's flavorful, fresh and hearty enough to feed the whole family. And it comes in at a great price, since it can be made with leftover rotisserie chicken and seasonal vegetables-although frozen and canned work well, too! In the summertime, this cold salad is perfect dinner on a sticky night and a guaranteed potluck hit. Even better, it's easily made ahead. So next time you're in the kitchen, why not put on a pot of water to boil. With a few minutes of chopping, you can rustle up tonight's-or tomorrow's-dinner!

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Side Dish

Time 25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 box Betty Crocker™ Suddenly Salad™ classic pasta salad mix
3 tablespoons cold water
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped cooked chicken
1/2 cup chopped cooked bacon (5 slices)
1/2 cup Progresso™ canned black beans or black-eyed peas, drained, rinsed
1/2 cup frozen corn, cooked as directed on bag, cooled
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup diced fresh tomato
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped red onion

Steps:

  • Pour pasta (from Suddenly Salad box) into 3-quart saucepan 2/3 full of boiling water. Gently boil uncovered 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta. Rinse with cold water; drain well.
  • In large bowl, stir together seasoning (from Suddenly Salad box), cold water, oil, lime juice, honey, cumin, pepper flakes and salt to make dressing.
  • Add pasta, chicken, bacon, beans, corn, bell pepper, tomato, cilantro and red onion to dressing mixture in bowl; toss to gently coat. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 290, Carbohydrate 38 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 3 g, Protein 14 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 Cup, Sodium 580 mg, Sugar 7 g, TransFat 0 g

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