I’ve been on a salad kick lately and love finding summer salads I can add to my healthy recipes index! This Santa Fe Pasta Salad in particular is so yummy and versatile and has a delicious southwestern flavor dressing.
Healthy Recipes: Santa Fe Pasta Salad
This salad is sentimental for me because my mom used to make it all the time before she succumbed to a glioblastoma brain tumor. I like to have some carbs in my salads so I added pasta, but you can totally make this without pasta if you wish! The original recipe I got this from years ago called for romaine lettuce, which is also filling and full of vitamins.
Santa Fe Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- Ingredients
- 6 tbsp mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp cilantro
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 medium scallion minced
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 can black beans rinsed and drained, or dry beans, soaked and boiled
- 1 cup corn kernels fresh or frozen
- 1 cup baby spinach diced
- 2 cups grape tomatoes but can use diced fresh tomato
- 1 medium sweet red pepper diced
- 6 oz spiral pasta
Instructions
-
To make the dressing, whisk mayonnaise, cilantro, water, scallion, lime juice, sugar and chili powder together in a small bowl until smooth. Transfer to a container and refrigerate until ready to use.
-
In a large bowl, layer the remaining ingredients in the order listed. Cover and refrigerate.
Recipe Notes
Storing this salad in layers without the dressing keeps it fresh for up to 4 days.
To serve, mix salad in bowl and drizzle dressing on top and shake to mix. Yields 1 1/2 tbsp dressing per 2 cups salad.
Check out my other healthy salad recipes here!
Linking up to these fabulous blogs:
Friday Flash Blog
Create It Thursday
Saturday Sparks Link Party
Crafty and Delicious
Wined Down Wednesday
Mama Moments Monday Link Up
Monday Musings Link Up
Inspiration Monday
Menu Plan Monday
Busy Monday
Frugal Crafty Blog Hop
Inspire Me Monday
Easy summer salads are portable and delicious and hearty - perfect to include a healthy recipe into your outing! 20 Read more
Are you looking for healthy recipes and in the mood for a delicious and filling protein-packed salad for an easy Read more
Don't you just love a filling, hearty salad that's super easy to prepare? I am normally not a salad person, Read more
Salads are such healthy recipes and very filling especially when you add freshly grilled chicken! Try this high-protein Mexican Chicken Read more
Recently I made the decision to try a (mostly) plant-based vegan diet. I say mostly because I just can't quit Read more
Looks great! I love southwest flavors and am always looking for a new way to incorporate them. Pinning this to try in the next week or so!
I like the black beans added to the pasta.