Forktionary

Arizona Pasta Salad Recipe

☀️ Dive into a vibrant Southwest flavor explosion with this easy Arizona Pasta Salad! Customize the heat to your liking with mild or hot salsa and a dash of cayenne pepper. Hate black olives? No problem! Swap them out for black beans for a delicious twist. This quick and refreshing pasta salad is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or a light weeknight dinner.

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Calories 534.9 kcal
Protein 21g
Rating 4.0 (1 Reviews)
Arizona Pasta Salad 93

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Arizona Pasta Salad

  • 1 pound small shell pasta
  • Mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup mild or hot salsa
  • 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Green Onions
  • 1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
  • 1 cup sliced black olives (optional substitute for black beans)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • Onion Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed & drained
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded & minced (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta cheese)

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How to Make Arizona Pasta Salad

  1. Cook 1 pound of pasta according to package directions. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain again.
  2. In a large bowl, combine 1 (15-ounce) can of corn, drained, 1 (15-ounce) can of black beans, rinsed and drained, 1 red bell pepper, diced, 1/2 cup chopped red onion, 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional), 1 cup chopped cilantro, 1/2 cup mild or hot salsa, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional), and 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta cheese). Mix thoroughly.
  3. Gently fold in the cooked pasta. Toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled and enjoy!
  4. If substituting black olives for black beans, use 1 cup of sliced black olives.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

62 g

Sugar

46g

Fat

18g

Carbs

24g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Salads Main Courses Lunch Main Dish / Dinner Sweets & Sides Side Dishes Vegetarian Proteins Bean & Lentil Recipes American Healthy Vegetarian Spring Recipes Summer Recipes Grilling & Bbq 30 Minutes Or Less

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

30 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion North American Low Protein Healthy Side Dishes Pasta Vegetables American Southwestern United States Easy Potluck Dinner Party Stove Top Dietary Spicy Low Cholesterol Low Saturated Fat Healthy 2 Low In Something Pasta Rice And Grains Pasta Shells Corn Onions Peppers Taste Mood To Go Equipment Presentation Served Cold 3 Steps Or Less