Mexican Macaroni Salad

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 6 cups rotini pasta, uncooked (1 pound)
• 1 -2 tablespoon lime zest, grated (from 2 medium limes)
• 3 -4 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 2 medium limes)
• 1 cup ranch dressing
• 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
• 1 large avocado, pitted, peeled and chopped
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 medium green onions, sliced (including tops)
• 1 (19 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (6 ounce) can pitted ripe olives, drained and cut in half
• 1 (4 1/2 ounce) can green chilies, drained and chopped

Recipe

• 1 cook and drain pasta as directed on package. rinse with cold water to cool; drain well.
• 2 meanwhile, grate peel from limes; place in a small bowl. squeeze juice from limes; add to peel in bowl.
• 3 stir in dressing and taco seasoning mix.
• 4 stir in avocado into dressing mixture.
• 5 in a large serving bowl, toss pasta with all remaining ingredients.
• 6 pour dressing mixture over salad; toss gently to mix.
• 7 cover and refrigerate at least one hour before serving to blend flavors.