Mexican Pasta Shells Salad Recipe (2024)

For a Mexican salad, try thisMexican Pasta Shells Salad Recipe made with fresh ingredients, whole wheat pasta, and a tasty, tangy dressing!

Mexican Pasta Shells Salad Recipe (1)

Hey, Friends, looking for some ideas for an inexpensive date night? Or a delicious salad for a date night, or for a Mexican lunch or dinner? Then you’ll love this Mexican Pasta Salad!Perfect for an inexpensive date night, a potluck dish, or for any Mexican or Cinco de Mayo gathering!

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Mexican Pasta Shells Salad Recipe

Today I’m sharing about going on a picnic with your sweetie! Of course this Mexican Pasta Shells Salad Recipe could be the perfect main course. You may also love my Mexican Pasta Salad, with a little different spin (more southwest flavors).

Mexican Pasta Shells Salad Recipe (2)

Pack a bottle of wine, and a little brownie dessert. Easy!

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Mexican Pasta Shells Salad Recipe

I also love this recipe for a potluck, because it’s a real crowd pleaser.

Make ahead and toss in the dressing. Leave the avocados to add right before serving (they can get mushy).

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Right before serving, I like to drizzle my favorite bottled dressing (Brianna’s Creamy Cilantro Lime).

If you’re heading out on a date, make sure and leave some for the kids! They will gobble this up.

Go on Date Nights

Paul and I are big proponents of marriage, and date nights. Date nights have been a routine for us since the day we got married. In fact, when Elliot was born, 2 weeks later our friends came over and babysat and we went on a date. That memory is vivid in my mind, because it was hard to leave the babe, but I knew I wanted to get that pattern set.

Through the years, we came up with different ideas, but mostly we went and shared a meal together. Inexpensive and so needed.

Here are some cheap date ideas

Picnic in the park (or here in Bend, at Smith Rock)

Take a hike (our favorite in Bend is Green Lake)

Fly fishing

Camp in your own yard – get out of the house and sneak into your trailer or RV for a night, pretending you are away

Go for a walk – drive to a new area for a walk

Make a new recipe – we love to cook together!

Garden – my husband is the inspiration, but I’m currently planting fall flowers

Visit a free museum (The Nature Center here in Sunriver)

Share an ice cream cone or soft serve (our friends in Ashland, OR are now serving “soft serve” at their juice bar!)

DIY something fun together, whether a project or a room *

Volunteer together

Go fishing or bike riding

Enjoy a day at the beach, river, or lake

Go to a free concert or movie

Sit down and relax together with no phones, sip on your favorite drink, and dream together

Lastly, get lost in your own town. This has come easy to Paul and me, since half the time we don’t know where we are going. We’ve often gone off streets and into new areas, just to look, have fun, talk, and even get out and take a walk.

We have very little time in this life to shine, to make a difference, to encourage others when they aren’t feeling brave, and for me, to promote marriage.

Oh, and don’t forget that kindness goes a long way!

Enjoy this Mexican Pasta Shells Salad Recipe, and come back and tell me where you went on a date!?

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More “shells” salads recipes:

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad [Spend with Pennies], Bacon Avocado Tomato Pasta Salad [Barefeet in the Kitchen], Shrimp and Macaroni Salad Recipe [FoodieCrush], andTuna and Noodles [RE].

Mexican Pasta Shells Salad Recipe (6)

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Mexican Pasta Shells Salad Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 35 minutes mins

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound 16 oz pkg Delallo Whole Wheat Shells
  • 1 1/2 cup corn, fresh or frozen, defrosted
  • 1 15 oz. can Bush’s Black Beans, drained
  • 1 cup sweet bell peppers, chopped (green, red, or orange)
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, leave whole if tiny
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced
  • 2 cups white cheddar cheese, we buy Tillamook’s Farm shred
  • 1/2 cup packed cilantro, finely chopped
  • 1 ripe avocado, pit removed and chopped
  • 4 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 Tbsp. rice vinegar
  • 6 Tbsp. squeezed fresh lime juice
  • 3 tsp. honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water; cool and set aside in a large bowl.

  • In a cup or small bowl, add the oil, vinegar, lime, honey, garlic powder, cumin, and salt. Whisk together.

  • To the cooled pasta, add the corn, black beans, peppers, tomatoes, red onion, cheese, and cilantro. Gently toss together.

  • Drizzle the dressing over the salad right before serving; toss to combine.

  • Place the avocados on top (or in a separate bowl); serve!

Cuisine: Mexican

Course: Salad

Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer

Did you make this recipe?Tag @reluctantentertainer on Instagram and hashtag it #reluctantentertainer!

Mexican Pasta Shells Salad Recipe (7)

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Mexican Pasta Shells Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a pasta salad made of? ›

The salad can be as simple as cold macaroni mixed with mayonnaise (a macaroni salad), or as elaborate as several pastas tossed together with a vinaigrette and a variety of fresh, preserved or cooked ingredients. Additional types of pasta may be used, such as ditalini.

Does pasta salad contain mayo? ›

Creamy dressing: My favorite creamy pasta salad dressing combines sour cream, mayonnaise, mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and a touch of honey or maple syrup. It's easy to make and tastes incredible.

Is pasta salad al dente? ›

Since it's not being served hot or with sauce, the pasta benefits from an extra minute of cooking, but don't let it get mushy. → Follow this tip: For a well-cooked pasta salad, plan to cook the pasta until just past al dente. Adding an extra minute or so of cook time will keep the pasta soft while it cools.

Does Walmart deli have pasta salad? ›

Dinner sides are made easy with Walmart Deli Cheddar Pasta Salad. Walmart Deli products provides you and your family with high quality fresh food that save you time and money, many of which are cooked fresh or prepared in stores. Convenient solutions with value added in every Walmart Deli item.

Should you rinse pasta when making pasta salad? ›

If you're making a dish that will be served chilled or at room temp—think cold soba, rice noodles, pasta salad—you do want to rinse so that you get toothsome (sorry) individual strands rather than one big gummy clump. Certain types of noodles benefit from a rinse in almost all applications.

Is it healthy to eat pasta salad every day? ›

Benefits of eating pasta salad every day: Nutritious ingredients: Pasta salad can provide a variety of essential nutrients depending on its ingredients. It often contains vegetables, which are rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.

Why is my pasta salad so bland? ›

Cold foods taste blander because the cold dulls our tastebuds a bit. This means that even properly seasoned pasta salad might be a little bland just out of the fridge. Try this instead: Taste the salad again and add a pinch of salt or a drizzle of lemon juice to brighten it up just before serving.

What is the substitute of mayonnaise in pasta? ›

Sherry Vinegar and Dijon Mustard

Try a combination of Dijon mustard and sherry vinegar to create a velvety mayo alternative for your potato or pasta salad.

What is a good substitute for mayonnaise in salad? ›

7 Healthy Mayonnaise Substitutes
  • Greek Yogurt. Greek yogurt is a great healthy substitute for mayonnaise. ...
  • Avocado. Avocados obviously don't have the same flavor as mayo, but the creaminess can replicate mayo in lots of dishes. ...
  • Hummus. ...
  • Sour Cream. ...
  • Tahini. ...
  • Mashed Tofu. ...
  • Cashew Cream.
Jul 17, 2023

Why does my pasta salad taste weird? ›

Vinegar and other acidic ingredients do strange things to the flavor of pasta when used in salad-level amounts. Ever notice an irritating acerbic aftertaste just about every time you've eaten pasta salad? That's the vinegar announcing itself, and it's not pleasant.

What is the best olive oil for pasta salad? ›

If you prefer an oil-based pasta salad over a mayo-based pasta salad, using quality, flavorful oil is key. You can't go wrong with California Olive Ranch's extra virgin olive oil. “You can use it for just about anything,” Danny wrote in his ranking of the best olive oil.

Why is my pasta salad watery? ›

Why is my macaroni salad runny? There are usually two culprits — not draining off wet ingredients and/or adding too many watery vegetables. For this macaroni salad recipe with egg, cook the noodles first so they have plenty of time to drain.

What culture is pasta salad from? ›

In the warmest months of spring and summer, pasta is still eaten in Italy - just a bit differently. Enter Pasta Fredda - aka, the Italian pasta salad! Just as we tote bowls of pasta salad along to our summer potlucks in the 'states, Italy follows suite with a similar tradition.

Is Walmart pasta salad good? ›

With a tasty, homestyle blend of ingredients, it will hit the spot. The Walmart macaroni salad has a delightful fresh taste that pairs well with many foods, from barbecue ribs to sandwiches. It's available in a convenient 32-oz size so there's plenty to share with a group.

What is made pasta made of? ›

Pasta products contain milled wheat, water, and occasionally eggs and/or optional ingredients. Pasta manufacturers typically use milled durum wheat (semolina, durum granulars, and durum flour) in pasta production, although farina and flour from common wheat are occasionally used.

What is pasta and what is it made of? ›

Pasta is made from unleavened dough consisting of ground durum wheat and water or eggs. The use of durum wheat sets pasta apart from other forms of noodles. Durum wheat's high gluten content and low moisture make it perfectly suited to pasta production.

What is the difference between macaroni and pasta salad? ›

The main difference between the two is in the way they are dressed. Macaroni salad is usually dressed with mayonnaise, while pasta salad is usually dressed with vinaigrette. Macaroni salad is considered a type of pasta salad. In the U.S., Macaroni salad is traditionally made using elbow macaroni.

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