Cool Mexican Pasta Salad
Brighten up your table with the vibrant and zesty flavors of Cool Mexican Pasta Salad, a refreshing twist on traditional pasta salad perfect for summer gatherings or quick weeknight meals. This colorful dish combines tender rotini pasta with a medley of black beans, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, and aromatic cilantro, all topped with a creamy lime and taco-seasoned dressing for the ultimate Tex-Mex punch. A touch of diced jalapeño adds customizable heat, while optional cheddar cheese and avocado elevate its richness. Ready in just 25 minutes and served chilled, this pasta salad is a crowd-pleasing side or a satisfying light meal that bursts with flavor in every bite. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a make-ahead dish!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 15-oz can (drained and rinsed) black beans
- 1 15-oz can (drained) sweet corn
- 1 medium (diced) red bell pepper
- 1.5 cups (halved) cherry tomatoes
- 0.5 medium (finely diced) red onion
- 0.25 cup (chopped) cilantro
- 1 small (finely diced, seeds removed for less heat) jalapeño
- 3 tbsp (freshly squeezed) lime juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- 0.5 tsp (or to taste) salt
- 0.5 tsp (or to taste) pepper
- 1 cup (shredded, optional) cheddar cheese
- 1 large (diced, optional) avocado
Instructions
Cook the rotini pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions, until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool completely. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the black beans, corn, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeño.
In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, sour cream, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
Add the cooled pasta to the mixing bowl with the vegetables and beans. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
If using, fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and diced avocado just before serving.
Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve the Cool Mexican Pasta Salad cold as a side dish or a light meal. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
393 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 22.8 g | 29% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.3 g | 41% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 30 mg | 10% | |
| Sodium | 535 mg | 23% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 38.7 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.8 g | 24% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.3 g | ||
| Protein | 12.5 g | 25% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 197 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 387 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
