Southwest Macaroni Salad

Name: Southwest Macaroni Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8-10 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 (14 1/2 ounce) box barillaplus rotini pasta; 1 tablespoon lime peel, finely grated; 3 tablespoons lime juice, fresh; 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix; 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half (or grape tomatoes); 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, made with 2 percent milk, finely shredded; 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped; 2 medium green onions, sliced; 1 (16 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained; 1 (4 1/2 ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained; 1 (1 ounce) packet ranch dressing mix, use 1/2 package; 1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk; 1/2 cup nonfat milk; 1/4 cup light mayonnaise; 1/4 cup light sour cream

Submitted by TXOLDHAM

"Found this in the Dallas Morning News and wanted to save. This recipes uses healthy pasta and reduced-fat ingredients."

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Ready In:: 30mins
Ingredients:: 15
Serves:: 8-10

ingredients

1 (14 1/2 ounce) box barillaplus rotini pasta
1 tablespoon lime peel, finely grated
3 tablespoons lime juice, fresh
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half (or grape tomatoes)
¹⁄₂ cup sharp cheddar cheese, made with 2 percent milk, finely shredded
2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
2 medium green onions, sliced
1 (16 ounce) can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained
1 (1 ounce) packet ranch dressing mix, use 1/2 package
¹⁄₄ cup low-fat buttermilk
¹⁄₂ cup nonfat milk
¹⁄₄ cup light mayonnaise
¹⁄₄ cup light sour cream

directions

Cook pasta according to directions on the package. Rinse with cold water to cool and drain .
In a small bowl whisk together the ranch salad dressing mix, buttermilk, fat-free milk, light mayo and light sour cream. Stir in lime juice, lime peel and taco seasoning mix.
In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with tomatoes, beans, cheese, green onions and green chilies. Pour dressing mixture over the salad and toss gently to mix.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

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Reviews

Thank you for saving and posting this recipe! It was just what I was looking for. Husband bought similar salad at local grocery and loved it. I said, I can make that! Searched for a recipe that I thought was similar and used this one. Couple of adjustments made -- added grilled chicken to use this as a picinic 'meal'. The salad also needed salt and a bit more acid - lime mixed in. (used 1 lime in the dressing = 3 TBL -- and then added one more lime the next day.) I made this up 1 night ahead of time and the dressing really soaked into the pasta. I may use a bit more milk or buttermilk next time and see if the consistency is any different. There will be a next time. Thanks again! PS. This makes a LOT -- it makes a huge bowl to feed to a large family or picnic.

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