Recipes tagged with « American Southwest »

Spiced Cowboy Pasta Salad

Elbow pasta tossed with browned spiced ground beef, smoky bacon, fresh veggies, and a tangy, creamy dressing made with BBQ and mayo. Substitutes included swapping black beans for kidney beans, and cheddar cheese for pepper jack. Lime juice gives brightness, but lemon juice works in a pinch. Ground turkey suggested as a leaner beef option. Key is cooling pasta well; rinse under cold water until no steam rises and noodles feel firm but not sticky. Dressing thickens slightly in fridge, coat thoroughly to avoid dry patches. Serve chilled or room temp with a crunch from corn and scallions, bold with red pepper flakes.