Spaghetti (South)Western Pasta Salad

As a pretty accomplished home cook, I gravitate towards certain flavors a lot.  Spicy, ethnic food--whether Indian, Mexican or Thai--often pleases my palette most.  I find myself cooking meals with a Southwest flair on a weekly basis.  Fortunately my tongue says "yes!" to cilantro (I know of many who think it tastes like soap), so Southwestern food is a great vehicle for getting my cilantro fix.

I was recently invited to participate in a recipe contest sponsored by Hodgson Mill where I created a pasta dish using their products.  Naturally, I turned to Southwestern ingredients to create my Spaghetti (South)Western Pasta Salad.  {Please "like" it on Pinterest or repin it if you would.  I'd love to win the contest!}

Well, it doesn't actually have spaghetti in it, but you get the idea. I used Hodgson Mill's whole wheat bowtie pasta.

Though it seems like a lot of ingredients, it's a simple dish to stir together.

SPAGHETTI (SOUTH)WESTERN PASTA SALAD

Ingredients

• 1 box Hodgson Mills whole wheat whole grain bowtie pasta
• 1 cup salsa
• 8oz lowfat sour cream
• 1 tsp chipotle powder or chipotle sauce (from the canned peppers)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• juice on 1 lime
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 1 tomatillo, diced
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 2 ears of corn, cooked and kernels sliced off the cob
• 1/2 large red onion, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, de-seeded and finely minced
• 1 can of black beans, drained
• 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped (omit if you dislike the taste)
• 1 cup cubed pepper jack cheese
• salt and pepper to taste
• Crushed purple corn chips for garnish

Cook the pasta until al dente and drain.  In a large bowl, combine the salsa, sour cream, chipotle powder or sauce, garlic powder, salt, pepper and lime juice.

Add more chipotle if you like it spicier.   Toss in the pasta, vegetables, black beans, cheese cubes and cilantro.  Add additional salt and pepper to taste and garnish with corn chips and more cilantro.

Enjoy with a limeade, Margarita or Corona. 

Again, I'd really appreciate it if you "liked" and repinned my recipe on Pinterest.  And I'd be even more flattered if you made this yourself!  Let me know if you do.
Disclosure: I received sample products from Hodgson Mills in order to create my recipe. I also have the chance to win one of many kitchen-related prizes.