Cowboy Macaroni Salad

Here's a satisfying cool summer recipe, that can be served up as a hearty, and delicious main course, or a wonderful accompaniment to a barbecue, picnic or potluck. This salad is a man pleaser, and is "Cowboy" approved... but I must say that the girls are going to love it just as much. It reminds me of "comfort food" in a healthy salad format. I used brown rice pasta, and fresh organic ingredients for this and is it ever delicious.

Ingredients:

For Salad:
12 ounces macaroni or shell pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 tsp garlic powder,
2 tsps onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
6 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 15 oz can pinto beans or black beans
1 cup frozen corn
4 green onions, minced
1/3 of one medium red onion, diced
1 small can green chilies
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded
1 1/2 cups tomatoes, chopped
A few pickled Jalapenos for garnish ( or if you like it spicy (which my hubby does, add about 1/4 cup of chopped to the whole salad).

For Dressing:
1 1/2 Cups Green Salsa
3/4 cup Sour Cream
Juice from 1 Lime

Instrucions: 

1. Cook, drain and cool macaroni pasta.
2. Put ground beef into a medium sized skillet, and season with salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder. 
3. Using medium heat, stir and cook ground beef.
4. Drain and cool.
5. In a small bowl, mix up dressing ingredients, until well blended, and set to the side.
6. In a large bowl combine all salad ingredients, and stir to distribute evenly.
7. Drizzle with the dressing, and mix gently together.
8. Place in a nice serving bowl, and garnish with fresh chunks of cheese, tomatoes, green onions, and pickled jalepenos
9. Serve and enjoy!

 

Enjoy!