Crispy Pasta Southwest Salad

Name: Crispy Pasta Southwest Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 cups Romaine, chopped; 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cup Corn; 1 cup Black beans, drained and rinsed; 1/4 Red onion, finely diced; 1 Avocado, cubed; Cilantro; Queso fresco; Jalapeños (measure with your heart); 3 cups Cooked bowtie pasta (cooled and dried really well); 2 tbsp Olive oil; 1 tsp Chili powder; ½ tsp Paprika; ½ tsp Garlic powder; Salt; 1 cup Cottage cheese; 3 tbsp Greek yogurt; 2 tbsp Lime juice; 1 tbsp Olive oil; 2 tsp Honey; 1 tsp Chili powder; ½ tsp Paprika; ½ tsp Garlic powder; Salt; A splash of water to thin then blend until smooth and creamy

This is so wrong… like actually disrespectful… but I’m obsessed. I took the viral crispy pasta and turned it into a high protein southwest salad and now I genuinely cannot go back to regular salads. The crunch?? the creamy dressing?? it’s actually addictive

Total time: 30 min
Serves: 4
Updated: April 29, 2026
Recipe by: Saba

Jump to recipe

Pin it

The recipeDine in Colors

Crispy Pasta Southwest Salad

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 12–22 mindepending on air fryer or oven
Total: 30 min
Serves: 4

Ingredients

Salad

2 cups Romaine, chopped
1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup Corn
1 cup Black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 Red onion, finely diced
1 Avocado, cubed
Cilantro
Queso fresco
Jalapeños (measure with your heart)

Pasta

3 cups Cooked bowtie pasta (cooled and dried really well)
2 tbsp Olive oil
1 tsp Chili powder
½ tsp Paprika
½ tsp Garlic powder
Salt

High-Protein Creamy Dressing

1 cup Cottage cheese
3 tbsp Greek yogurt
2 tbsp Lime juice
1 tbsp Olive oil
2 tsp Honey
1 tsp Chili powder
½ tsp Paprika
½ tsp Garlic powder
Salt
A splash of water to thin then blend until smooth and creamy

Instructions

Pasta

Step 1Toss pasta with oil and spices, making sure it’s spread out and not overcrowded, then air fry at 380°F for about 12 minutes, shaking halfway, or bake at 400°F for 20 to 22 minutes until crispy