Fajita Pasta Salad
Hello summer! You’re beautiful, my friend, and I’m so glad you’re back. If you’re like me, that’s what you’re saying to the sunshine after a long winter. I’ve said this a few times, but one of my favorite things about summer is the BBQ, and it dawned on me: I have a lot of grilling recipes, but never anything for a side dish. With that in mind, I created this Fajita Pasta Salad.
Fajita Pasta Salad Recipe
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BBQ’s are fun, and I like them because I can use leftovers for picnics. My son came across the idea of a picnic at pre-school. The little ones would gather around outside and enjoy their snacks, it was the highlight of his day. Now that school is over, I wanted to do something special for him and have a little family picnic this afternoon.
Nothing beats a picnic during a hot, summer month of July.
6 Tips for packing a picnic:
Bring a blanket. When I picture a picnic, I envision a classic checkered blanket. However, I don’t have one. Instead, I used a throw that I didn’t mind getting a little dirty.
Pack dinnerware according to your location. Our picnic wasn’t too far from our house, it was actually on our patio. Since it was about twenty steps from my kitchen, I used our usual plates. However, if I was packing up to go to the park or playground I would pack paper plates from the dollar store. The same goes for utensils.
Don’t forget your drinks. Since it was simply my son and I on this gorgeous afternoon, I skipped the wine and served sparkling water and juice. If you’re having an adult picnic, you can grab those mini wine bottles from the liquor store. Don’t forget the corkscrew and wine glasses!
Bring your food on ice in reusable containers. If that’s not an option, avoid packing foods with products that will spoil: yogurt, mayonnaise, etc.
Make it easy. Nothing is easier than a pasta salad (like the fajita pasta salad recipe I have shared with you below)!
Think about clean up. There may not be a garbage can where you’re going so bring a bag, just in case. Another good idea is to bring some wet wipes for your hands and your kid’s sticky faces.
If you want more ideas, check out these picnic essentials for a perfect picnic.
Our picnic was a unique way to unplug and spend time with my son and see how he’s shaping up. I had a lot of fun hearing about what he had to say on different subjects and hear him reflect on our recent Disneyland trip).
Fajita Pasta Salad
I used Catelli Smart Bows for the fajita pasta salad. I like using the Catelli Smart line for pasta salads because it tastes just like white pasta, but offers so much more. One 85 gram serving offers 32% of your daily recommended intake of fibre, which helps keep me full and satisfied all day.
Want to find out more? Visit Catelli’s website.
Summer Pasta Salad Recipes
Summer Pasta Salad Recipes
Fajita Pasta Salad
This fajita pasta salad is a delicious vegetable filled salad recipe that's high in protein and makes a great BBQ side dish.
Servings 10 servings
Calories 286kcal
Ingredients
- 1 package Catelli Smart Bows
- 2 cooked chicken breasts sliced
- 1 green pepper sliced
- 1 red pepper sliced
- 1 yellow pepper sliced
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/2 cup corn roasted
- 1/2 cup black beans
- 1/2 purple onion
- Optional: cilantro
Fajita Vinaigrette
- 1/2 cup avocado oil
- 1 lime juiced
- 4 tbsps red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsps cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Â
Instructions
- Cook the Catelli Smart Bows according to the directions on the box, drain and add to a large bowl.
- Add the cooked chicken, spinach, sliced peppers, onion, corn, and black beans
- Mix together the fajita vinaigrette ingredients and pour over the fajita pasta salad. Mix.
- Cover with saran wrap and refrigerate, stirring every hour, until cold.
- Top with optional cilantro
To roast corn
- Preheat oven to 425. Place corn (I used frozen) on a baking sheet with a sprinkle of salt and roast for 5 minutes or until it starts to golden up
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 33.2g | Protein: 11.3g | Fat: 12.6g | Saturated Fat: 1.6g | Cholesterol: 16.5mg | Sodium: 88.9mg | Fiber: 5.8g | Sugar: 2.9g
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Disclosure: this fajita pasta salad recipe has been sponsored by my friends at Catelli. All opinions are my own.
That looks so amazing! I’ve always been a big fan of pasta salad, and this is one of the best recipes I’ve seen. I can’t wait to try it!
I love all things pasta, so pasta salad is right up my alley!
I’ve never heard of fajita pasta salad before. I can’t wait to try it. I love those flavors, and pasta salad is a classic summer side. Om nom nom.
You already know that everything you touch is gold. Carter is as handsome as ever!
As usual you had me at “Hello” Randa! How adorable and delicious is this? I am a huge fajita fanatic so this salad is just up my alley. Time to give it a shot for my Canada Day party this weekend.
Enjoy Jen! My sister came and raided my fridge when I made it. Took a huge Tupperware bin home and refused to share with her roommates haha.
Oh my gosh what a good idea. I have made many pasta salad but nothing like this. You throw so many different ingredients to know that I’ve never even thought of. I love it!Â
I just thought of what went in fajitas and threw it together 🙂 I’m glad you like the sounds of it!
You always have wonderful recipes! This looks perfect for a hot day for sure!
Thank you so much Tess!
I am always looking for new recipes to try. I will have to pick up the ingredients I need to make this for dinner this week.
This Fajita Pasta Salad looks so delicious and easy to make. I am sure it will be a big hit. I need to pick up some new reusable containers for my lunches.
This pasta salad looks amazing! I am all for pasta in any form, but the flavor combination here is just to die for. I have to try this recipe!
This pasta dish looks and sounds amazing! I know my family would be smitten with some!
I love fajitas and usually will serve over rice instead of a tortilla, but pasta is EVEN better! Thanks for the post!
I’ve never made a pasta salad like this before. Your recipe would definitely go over well with my family. It looks so flavorful and delicious!
Yes! This is the perfect summertime meal. It looks amazing and I bet its just as delicious. This is on my menu for the weekend now.
This sounds like it’s full of flavor and healthy!  Thank you for the idea. 🙂Â
I want to make this for lunch! I love a good salad and fajita’s are amazing so this has to be delicious.Â
This dish brings together all of my favorite things! I’m a Puerto Rican/Italian, married to a Mexican. This is like all of our dinners wrapped into one dish! I love it. I’ll have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing.
You must have the best food in your home with amazing backgrounds like that!
I absolutely love picnics. Now that summer is here I look forward to having more of them. I’ll have to add this salad to the menu.
This looks amazing! My kids are teenagers and I still carry diaper wipes around with me for cleaning up, lol. Thanks for linking up to #HomeMattersParty