Description
This Southwest Pasta Salad is a colorful and flavorful dish that combines pasta with black beans, corn, bell peppers, avocado, and a zesty lime dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a light meal!
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad:
- 8 oz rotini pasta (or your favorite short pasta)
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Salad:
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool; set aside.
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, honey, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl along with black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro. Gently toss to combine all ingredients and coat evenly with the dressing.
- Add Cheese and Avocado: Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and diced avocado just before serving to maintain freshness.
- Chill and Serve: Chill the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Add avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
- You can customize this salad by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Southwest Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad Recipe, Southwest Salad, Vegetarian Pasta Salad
