Southwestern Pasta Salad

Gingernut's Note:

This recipe is from Leanne Ely of SavingDinner.com. I use her Menu-mailer when I just can't be bothered planning a menu for the week. Her recipes tend to be quick, simple, and relatively healthy, albeit a bit plain for my taste.

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 12 ounces macaroni , uncooked
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• salt
• 1 (16 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained or 1 cup cooked dried black beans
• 1 (11 ounce) can whole kernel corn , drained
• 1 large red bell pepper , seeds and ribs removed, cut into strips
• ¾ cup sliced green onion
• 1 (2 ¼ ounce) can sliced black olives , drained
• ¾ cup low-fat mayonnaise
• ½ cup low-fat sour cream
• ¼ cup tbsps salsa , your favorite
• 2 tablespoons salsa , your favorite
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro , AKA coriander

Directions:

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain, toss with oil and sprinkle with cumin. Salt to taste and set aside.
2. The original recipe suggests layering the beans, vegetables, and olives, but I just tossed them all together.
3. In a small bowl combine mayo, sour cream and salsa. The original recipe suggests you spread this mixture over the top of the pasta "like you're frosting a cake" but I just mixed it all in together. Sprinkle with cilantro.
4. Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill overnight or for several hours.

Reviews

[Beth A.]

I must have gotten my copy of this recipe the same place as dgwdsmith!:) My recipe calls for 8 oz. pasta as well. I agree, also, that layering the ingredients in a clear, straight-sided bowl makes for a nice presentation. I usually toss it all together right before serving, however. Good stuff!

[dgwdsmith]

I have this recipe from another source, and it calls for 8 oz. pasta. I also added some taco seasoning in with the cumin in step 1. The layering of the items, in a 3 qt. clear bowl makes a great presentation for a potluck, with the dressing covering the top. When it is spooned out, you get all the layers. Use a good-quality salsa and this is very tasty.

[Pizza Mama]

This was pretty good. I added lots of cilantro for pep, but it was still a bit plain. The sauce was really absorbed, so I either needed more sauce or less pasta. Will make again.