Texas Pasta Salad
A vibrant Texas Pasta Salad bursting with fresh vegetables, tangy vinegar, and bold spices, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or casual gatherings with a flavorful Southern twist.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Texas spaghetti ⓘ
- 2/3 c. cider vinegar ⓘ
- 1/4 c. safflower oil ⓘ
- 3/4 c. chopped celery
- 3/4 c. chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 8 chopped green onions ⓘ
- 2 oz. jar chopped pimento, drained ⓘ
- 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. picante sauce ⓘ
- 4 dashes Tabasco
- 2 Tbsp. chopped green chilies ⓘ
- 1 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 2 c. black-eyed peas, cooked and drained ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. corn ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook the Texas spaghetti according to package instructions, then drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cider vinegar, safflower oil, Worcestershire sauce, picante sauce, Tabasco, chopped green chilies, and salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Add the cooked spaghetti, chopped celery, chopped green pepper, chopped green onions, chopped pimento, cooked black-eyed peas, and corn to the dressing.
- Toss everything together until well coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the cooked spaghetti in the dressing for a few hours before mixing in the vegetables. If you don’t have safflower oil, you can substitute with canola or vegetable oil. You can also use frozen black-eyed peas if fresh ones are unavailable, and feel free to add other vegetables like cherry tomatoes or cucumbers for extra crunch. This salad is great for meal prep or potlucks.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Texas Pasta Salad chilled as a refreshing side at barbecues or picnics. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats like Chicken Wings With Honey Orange Sauce or can be enjoyed on its own for a light lunch. Garnish with fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley for a pop of color and flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making the salad even tastier the next day. If the salad seems dry after refrigeration, add a splash of cider vinegar or oil before serving to refresh the texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Texas Pasta Salad contains roughly 174 calories, with 5g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (198% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (77% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1237mg per serving (54% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Yes, this Texas Pasta Salad is vegan-friendly! All ingredients used are plant-based, making it a great option for those following vegan recipes. Just ensure the picante sauce and Worcestershire sauce are vegan-friendly, as some brands may contain animal products.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).