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Spicy Veggie Pasta Salad Recipe

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This pasta salad is simply begging to join your cook out, tailgate, family game night, or potluck! The fresh, crisp vegetables, creamy dressing, and pasta are an infusion of flavor!

Pasta salads are a staple at potlucks, and this one will be a crowd pleaser for sure! My Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad offers flavor, protein, and is fantastic.

This recipe was given to me by a family friend, during a difficulty time for our family. Not only was I provided leftovers, I was given her recipe which was from The Pioneer Woman. I tweaked the dressing a bit…more mayo & brine…and the results were GREAT! Creamy goodness BURSTING with flavor!

Spicy Veggie Pasta Salad: The Players on the Field

The Veggies

  • Fresh corn
  • Red and yellow bell peppers
  • Garlic
  • Cilantro and parsley
  • Green onions
  • Limes
  • Jalapenos, pickled

The Dressing

  • Mayonnaise (light works, but fat free does not)
  • Sour cream (see above!)
  • Jalapeno brine juice

The Pasta- Your choice!

  • Cellentani
  • Radiatore
  • Cavatappi
  • Rotini
  • Bowtie
  • Wagon wheel

Do you see a theme here regarding the pasta? Pasta with curves and/or ridges will simply cling to this creamy dressing! Small pastas like shells or elbow will work too in a pinch. Fettuccini, spaghetti, etc. are not ideal for this salad.

Spicy Veggie Pasta Salad: The Playbook

Tailgate or potluck like a PRO!

  • Mayonnaise-based salads require refrigeration! Keep them at room temperature no longer than two hours and not out in the heat more than an hour.
  • This salad packs and travels well!
  • The Spicy Veggie Pasta Salad Recipe just LOVES a good cook out! It’s the perfect side dish for pulled pork, barbecue chicken, ribs, hamburgers, fish tacos, and well really ALL Mexican foods!
  • Make sure your pasta doesn’t over cook! Al dente pasta is firm to the bite but still soft.
  • For transporting your Spicy Veggie Pasta Salad, here are the Hefty To-Go Food Storage Containers for individual servings (or serving 2-4) and here’s my large plastic bowl for the whole salad.

Tailgate Menu Ideas

Tailgate with Heather! Click Here for
Direct Pinterest Link!

Spicy Veggie Pasta Salad

Print Recipe
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb cellentani, bowtie, wagon wheel or rotini pasta
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups corn kernels, fresh
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup pickled jalapenos, chopped, plus 3-4 tbs brine for less heat, adjust to 2 tbs
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • grated zest and juice of 2 limes
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 large red pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 large orange pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 4 green onions, chopped
  • 2 cups cilantro, chopped
  • 1 cup parsley, chopped (not Italian parsley)

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, however ONLY cook the pasta until it is al dente. Add corn to the last minute of cooking then immediately drain and rinse under cold water.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, pickled jalapenos, 2 tbs of brine (you can add the remaining brine after tasting the heat of the dressing), lime zest and juice, garlic, black pepper, and 1/2 tsp of salt.
  • Once the dressing is blended, add the bell peppers, green onions, and remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Add half the cilantro and parsley to the dressing and mix well.
  • Add the drained pasta to the dressing bowl. Stir well and incorporate all the dressing into the pasta. Top with remaining cilantro and green onions. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes (no longer for food safety!) or refrigerate for 4-6 hours.

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