Cowboy Pasta Salad

Cowboy pasta salad is a hearty and flavorful pasta salad that combines pasta with a variety of ingredients commonly associated with Western or Southwestern cuisine. Here’s a basic recipe for cowboy pasta salad:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked pasta (such as rotini or penne)
• 1 cup cooked and diced chicken (you can use grilled or rotisserie chicken)
• 1 cup diced bell peppers (red, green, or a mix of colors)
• 1 cup canned corn kernels, drained
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
• 1/4 cup diced jalapeño peppers (optional, for some heat)
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool it down. Allow it to drain thoroughly.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced chicken, diced bell peppers, corn, black beans, red onion, diced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped cilantro (if using). Toss everything together.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing and BBQ sauce until well combined.
• Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta salad and toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.
• Add diced jalapeño peppers if you want to add some heat to your salad.
• Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
• Before serving, you can garnish with additional cilantro or shredded cheese if desired.

Cowboy pasta salad is a versatile dish, and you can customize it to suit your taste by adding or omitting ingredients like avocado, bacon bits, or olives. It’s perfect for picnics, and potlucks, or as a side dish for barbecues and grilled meats. Enjoy!

Try out this recipe on your next to to Knoxville Campground!