Description
Cowboy Pasta Salad is a hearty and flavorful American pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, smoky bacon, fresh vegetables, sharp cheddar cheese, and a tangy barbecue-infused creamy dressing. Perfect for potlucks, summer picnics, or as a tasty side dish, this salad combines a mix of textures and bold southwestern-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini pasta, cooked and cooled
- 1 cup cooked bacon, chopped
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Prepare the rotini pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely and stop the cooking process.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped bacon, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, cubed cheddar cheese, diced red onion, diced bell pepper, and chopped cilantro. Gently toss to mix.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, barbecue sauce, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until you get a smooth, well-blended dressing.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss everything gently and thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir. Optionally, add a splash of milk if the dressing has thickened during chilling to loosen the texture.
Notes
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
- This salad can be made several hours ahead and kept chilled until ready to serve.
- If the salad thickens after chilling, stir in a tablespoon or two of milk to loosen the dressing.
