Mexican Fiesta Pasta Salad and Dressing
Bursting with vibrant flavors and vibrant colors, this Mexican Fiesta Pasta Salad and Dressing is the ultimate 30-minute meal for your next gathering or meal prep session. Featuring tender rotini pasta tossed with black beans, sweet corn, juicy cherry tomatoes, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese, this salad is a hearty yet refreshing dish. The homemade zesty lime dressing, infused with honey, cumin, and chili powder, ties each bite together with a perfect balance of tang, spice, and sweetness. Fresh avocado and cilantro take it to the next level, making it a fiesta for your taste buds! Quick to assemble and perfect served chilled, this salad is ideal for potlucks, picnics, or any weeknight dinner.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 15-oz can black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1.5 cups frozen corn (thawed)
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 0.5 red onion (diced)
- 0.5 cup cilantro (chopped)
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese (cubed)
- 1 avocado (diced)
- 3 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp chili powder
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Let it sit to drain completely.
In a large mixing bowl, combine black beans, thawed corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, chopped cilantro, and cubed Monterey Jack cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with vegetables and toss gently to combine.
Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables, stirring well to coat everything evenly.
Gently fold in the diced avocado just before serving to prevent it from browning.
Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or lime juice if desired.
Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours to let the flavors meld before serving. Garnish with extra cilantro, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
461 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.7 g | 32% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.7 g | 48% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 36 mg | 12% | |
| Sodium | 435 mg | 19% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 45.0 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 8.7 g | 31% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.4 g | ||
| Protein | 19.4 g | 39% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 334 mg | 26% | |
| Iron | 2.8 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 623 mg | 13% | |
*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.
