• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Pretty Bee
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
    • Sort By Allergen
    • View all recipes
  • cookbooks
    • Quick Start Bundle.
  • contact
  • subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Start Here
  • View All Recipes
  • Sort By Allergen
  • Cookbooks
  • Contact
×

Home » Salad » Crowd-Pleasing Southwest Pasta Salad.

Crowd-Pleasing Southwest Pasta Salad.

Apr 24, 2019 · Modified: Apr 24, 2019 by Kelly Roenicke · 8 Comments

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This Southwest pasta salad is loaded with veggies and dressed with a creamy, spicy sauce. A spicy, satisfying salad to take to all your summer parties!

Southwest pasta salad

Don’t you love delicious summer salads? Whether it’s a tossed salad or a pasta salad, I just love all the delicious salad recipes you can enjoy in the warm weather.

I struggled with what to call this pasta salad. It’s full of colorful vegetables, cilantro, tri-color beans, and a creamy, spicy dressing. It’s super delicious, and it basically disappeared when I made it.

So, what to call it? Mexican pasta salad? Taco pasta salad? Best pasta salad in the whole world? ;)

Eventually I settled on Southwest Pasta Salad, because I think with the flavors and colors in this salad, that name suits it best.

easy southwest pasta salad

There are so many things that I love about pasta salads like this. For one, you can make it and then eat it for lunch for a few days. I’m all about reducing the amount of cooking I do in the summer!

What brand of gluten free pasta works best for pasta salads?

There are many brands of gluten free pasta that work well in pasta salad. Try Jovial, or Ancient Harvest, or any brand that you like and work for your dietary needs. Make sure you don’t overcook the pasta – when it’s too overdone, that makes for a mushy pasta salad.

I can’t have legumes – what should I do?

You can leave them out if you like! Feel free to add something else, like chopped zucchini, corn, or even shredded carrots. For a little crunch, you can add some pepitas or sunflower seeds.

tomatoes, beans, onions, pasta, and cilantro in a bowl

I hate the taste of cilantro. Can I use a different herb?

Sure, just use parsley instead! You could also use basil if that’s what you have on hand.

If you like different vegetables, you can throw those in this Southwest pasta salad. I think some corn or even chopped avocado would work well in here. It’s really easy to tailor this creamy Southwest pasta salad to your dietary needs.

southwest pasta salad with beans in a blue bowl

This salad is naturally dairy free, and I used gluten free pasta shells and egg free mayo to keep it allergy friendly. Of course, you can use whatever mayo you like and whatever type of pasta you prefer!

If you’re looking for a traditional pasta salad, you may want to try this vegan macaroni salad recipe.

This Southwest pasta salad recipe is:

  • full of flavor
  • colorful and fun to eat
  • appealing to kids and adults

gluten free vegan pasta salad with beans

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Southwest pasta salad with tri-color beans, tomatoes, cilantro, peppers, and a creamy, spicy, dressing. Delicious and easy!
5 from 2 votes
Print

Southwest Pasta Salad.

A tasty summer salad - this Southwest pasta salad is sure to be a favorite!
Course Salad
Cuisine Dairy Free, gluten free, vegan.
Keyword pasta salad with beans, vegan pasta salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 -8
Calories 426 kcal
Author Kelly Roenicke

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces gluten free shells
  • 15 ounces tricolor beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 ½ cups grape tomatoes sliced
  • ⅔ cup sweet onion chopped
  • ½ cup packed cilantro leaves or parsley

For the dressing:

  • ¾ cup Earth Balance mayonnaise or a different brand that works for your needs
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
  • ¾ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons organic cane sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon lime or lemon juice
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside to cool.
  2. Once the pasta is cool, place it in a large bowl and add the beans, bell pepper, tomatoes, cilantro, and onion, and toss together.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the Earth Balance mayonnaise, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt, sugar, and lemon or lime juice. Stir well.
  4. Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables and stir well to combine.
  5. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Recipe Notes

Store leftover pasta in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for about 4 days.

If you don't like cilantro, feel free to use parsley.

Nutrition Facts
Southwest Pasta Salad.
Amount Per Serving
Calories 426 Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Sodium 383mg17%
Potassium 411mg12%
Carbohydrates 51g17%
Fiber 8g33%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 1260IU25%
Vitamin C 31.8mg39%
Calcium 28mg3%
Iron 2.6mg14%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Have you started making summery recipes yet? What’s your favorite salad in the summertime?

This post was originally published in May 2016. It has been updated.

Related

« Cornmeal Pancakes with Fresh Berries.
Easy Carrot Noodles. »

Filed Under: Dairy Free, food, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Recipes, Salad, Vegan Tagged With: Dairy Free, easy recipe, Egg Free, Fish Free, Gluten Free, Mustard Free, Nut Free, Peanut Free, Sesame Free, Shellfish Free, Soy Free, top 8 allergy free recipe, Tree Nut Free

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Kelly Roenicke
Kelly Roenicke
Mom to two boys with food allergies and sensitivities, Kelly is passionate about allergy friendly cooking and baking. She believes that you can enjoy amazing, easy recipes even when cooking for multiple food allergies.
Kelly Roenicke
Latest posts by Kelly Roenicke (see all)
  • Strawberry Oatmeal Cookie Dough Bites. - August 8, 2022
  • Fruity Lemonade Popsicles. - August 2, 2022
  • The Tastiest Turkey Tacos (Quick and Easy). - July 30, 2022

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cathy

    August 27, 2021 at 11:44 am

    5 stars
    Delicious!!!

    Reply
  2. Julia Mueller

    May 18, 2016 at 10:54 am

    There’s definitely some Southwestern flair to this delish dish, so I’d say you hit the nail on the head with the title. It looks sooo fresh and tasty – I want it at allll the picnics!

    Reply
  3. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    May 18, 2016 at 7:13 am

    What a pretty salad, Kelly! I love the zesty flavors in here. Definitely a great salad for the summer!

    Reply
    • Kelly

      May 18, 2016 at 7:52 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Kristy @ Southern In Law

    May 17, 2016 at 10:42 pm

    Southwestern flavours are ALWAYS a winner with us and this pasta salad looks absolutely perfect!

    I totally understand your naming issues though :P Because I’m always making up my own recipes I always struggle to come up with names!

    Reply
    • Kelly

      May 18, 2016 at 7:54 am

      Thank you, Kristy! I know, it’s so hard to name recipes!

      Reply
  5. Lauren O'Connor

    May 17, 2016 at 6:05 pm

    5 stars
    I can’t wait to try this pasta dish! Looks so healthy & delish!!

    Reply
    • Kelly

      May 18, 2016 at 7:56 am

      Thank you! Hope you love it!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

kelly roenicke portrait

Hi! I'm Kelly, and I believe that you can enjoy amazing, easy recipes even when cooking for multiple food allergies.

Learn more →

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Find the perfect recipe

Filter all recipes by allergen

Search & Sort Recipes by Allergen

Footer

↑ back to top

Browse my allergy friendly cookbooks.

Why, yes, I DO have a print cookbook!

Allergy Friendly Chocolate Cake Your Family Will Love

best dairy free gluten free chocolate cake recipe

Copyright © 2022 The Pretty Bee | Disclosure | Privacy Policy