New Mexican Gazpacho-Pasta Salad 🥗
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 8
Description:
Indulge in the flavors of the Southwest with this vibrant New Mexican Gazpacho-Pasta Salad. This recipe combines the zesty goodness of a traditional gazpacho with the comforting heartiness of pasta, creating a delightful dish perfect for any occasion. With a burst of colors and flavors, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection!
Ingredients:
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 2 cups reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup green onions with tops, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp lemon pepper
- Lettuce leaves, for serving
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. | Prepare rotini according to package directions, omitting oil and salt. |
| 2. | Drain the cooked pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process. |
| 3. | In a large bowl, combine the cooked rotini, 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, and thinly sliced green onions. |
| 4. | In a small bowl, whisk together the low-fat plain yogurt, fat-free mayonnaise, chopped fresh basil, minced garlic, and lemon pepper until well combined to create the dressing. |
| 5. | Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta salad ingredients in the large bowl. |
| 6. | Gently toss the salad to evenly coat everything with the dressing. |
| 7. | Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. |
| 8. | To serve, arrange lettuce leaves on a platter or individual plates. |
| 9. | Spoon the chilled New Mexican Gazpacho-Pasta Salad onto the lettuce leaves. |
| 10. | Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the salad. |
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 148.2 per serving
- Fat: 1.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 2.2mg
- Sodium: 133.4mg
- Carbohydrates: 29.8g
- Fiber: 2.1g
- Sugar: 6.4g
- Protein: 5.1g
Recipe Notes:
- For added crunch and flavor, consider topping the salad with some toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or chopped avocado.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic and lemon pepper according to your taste preferences.
- This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just be sure to give it a good stir before serving.
Prepare to impress your family and friends with this delightful New Mexican Gazpacho-Pasta Salad! Its vibrant colors, refreshing flavors, and wholesome ingredients make it a perfect choice for potlucks, picnics, or any gathering where you want to share a taste of the Southwest. Enjoy! 🌶️🍅🥒
