Southwest Pasta Salad with Spicy Garlic Dressing

This Southwest Pasta Salad with Spicy Garlic Dressing is naturally vegan and gluten free. Super easy to make, packed with so many amazing flavors coming straight from a homemade southwest seasoning.

Warm summer vibes that means for me I happily enjoy a salad. But make no mistake, salad doesn’t mean it has to be boring.

Put away the tasteless green salads and be excited about all the good things like with my Hummus Potato Salad or the Quinoa Taco Salad [vegan, gf].

Interested in more? Make use of the search bar or take a look at the Recipe Index.

See that’s how I enjoy salads. If you don’t yet have a soft spot for easy salads, you’ll definitely get it now.

When you make and eat this Southwest Pasta Salad with Spicy Garlic Dressing you will know that a salad never tasted better than this, the flavors are on spot.

You won’t stop eating this. It’s portable, great for meal preparation, make ahead and work.

Make a double batch, it’s super easy with things you might already stay in your pantry, less preparation, big flavor experience and seriously delicious.

What is Southwest Seasoning

You can buy southwest seasoning at almost every store or online.

That’s not a big deal.

But I find it’s a bit tough to find one seasoning which is really good in flavor and taste. Some taste a bit heavy on chili, some are bland, you got that.

That’s why I created my own homemade seasoning. Just combine chili powder, paprika, cumin, and garlic powder with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Done and voila you have one delicious mix.

I find it’s just the right mix for me, but feel free to add more or less.

What is in pasta salad

In a traditional pasta salad, you might find ingredients like sausage, real mayo, sour creme, and a bit of vegetables like peas or carrots.

Not plant based, gluten free, not even diary free.

There aren’t any rules. You can put together what you want to build your own favorite flavor.

How to make dressing for pasta salad? Yes we need a base. Something that is delicious, easy, and full of flavor, right?

I would say this Spicy Garlic Dressing couldn’t be any easier as it gets: Just combine southwest seasoning, vegenaise, and garlic.

Mix until combined and chill in the refrigerator. That’s how to make cold pasta salad dressing.

Just the dressing is so good. You can use it for so much more. Just think burgers, sandwiches, or wraps. I guess it’s also delicious plain as sandwich spread.

How to make Southwest Pasta Salad with Spicy Garlic Dressing

Cook your pasta according the package directions.

While the pasta is cooking, combine black beans, corn, and the optional add ons like chopped onions and bell pepper in a bowl.

When the pasta is done, drain and wash it with cold water. This is essential to make sure the veggies will stay fresh with pasta and not get mushy.

Last easy step is to combine the cold pasta with the veggies in the bowl. Mix with the dressing, season with salt and pepper and divide into bowls or plates.

I made this recently for friends on a picnic and potluck the other day.

On both, everyone enjoyed this so much. It must be the southwest seasoning, which adds so much flavor to the salad.

Also I ate this 2 times for lunch and dinner, so that must mean something. It’s great for dinner, lunch, quick easy weeknight meals, all your gatherings and get togethers .

If you plan this for meal preparation, it will stay fresh covered in the refrigerator for up 4 days.

It’s really delicious on it’s own, but if you’re looking for something amazing to serve with it, try these entirely vegan and gluten free Vegetarian Swedish Meatballs.

If you give this Southwest Pasta Salad with Spicy Garlic Dressing a try, show me all your recreations with a tag on Instagram or Facebook.

Love seeing all of them.

Cheers, Florian.

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Southwest Pasta Salad with Spicy Garlic Dressing

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

This Southwest Pasta Salad with Spicy Garlic Dressing is naturally vegan and gluten free. Super easy to make, packed with so many amazing flavors coming straight from a homemade southwest seasoning.

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Ingredients

• 1 lb pasta (I used gluten free)
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed
• 1 1/4 cup vegenaise

• 1 cup black beans, cooked
• 3/4 cup corn
• salt, pepper to taste

Optional add ons:

• 1/2 cup onions, diced
• 3/4 bell pepper, chopped

Instructions

1. Cook your pasta according the package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, combine black beans, corn, and the optional add ons like chopped onions and bell pepper in a bowl.
3. When the pasta is done, drain and wash it with cold water.
4. Combine the cold pasta with the veggies in the bowl. Mix with the dressing, season with salt and pepper and divide into bowls or plates.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 2.5 cups
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 478Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 257mgCarbohydrates: 73gFiber: 6gSugar: 2gProtein: 17g