Rotini and Black Bean Salad
Bright, colorful, and packed with flavor, this Rotini and Black Bean Salad is a vibrant twist on classic pasta salads that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or weekday lunches. Featuring tender rotini pasta tossed with protein-rich black beans, crisp bell peppers, juicy cherry tomatoes, refreshing cucumber, and aromatic cilantro, this dish is as nutritious as it is delicious. A zesty lime and cumin dressing, lightly sweetened with honey, ties it all together, delivering a Southwest-inspired flavor profile that’s light yet satisfying. Optional crumbled feta cheese adds a tangy finishing touch for a unique dimension. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy pasta salad is served cold and bursting with fresh vegetables—a true crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.5 red onion, finely chopped
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 0.25 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 cup optional crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add the drained and rinsed black beans, diced red and yellow bell peppers, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, and fresh cilantro.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, honey, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to form the dressing.
Add the cooled pasta to the vegetable mixture in the large mixing bowl and gently toss to combine.
Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss again to ensure everything is evenly coated.
If desired, sprinkle the salad with crumbled feta cheese for a tangy flavor boost.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2721 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 92.0 g | 118% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.2 g | 136% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 107 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 2578 mg | 112% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 382.5 g | 139% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 47.7 g | 170% | |
| Total Sugars | 46.3 g | ||
| Protein | 93.3 g | 187% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1018 mg | 78% | |
| Iron | 25.0 mg | 139% | |
| Potassium | 3518 mg | 75% | |
*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.
