Tex Mex Pasta Salad
Bursting with bold flavors and vibrant colors, this Tex Mex Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleasing fusion of Southwestern-inspired ingredients and classic comfort food. Perfectly cooked rotini pasta is tossed with black beans, sweet corn, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crisp red bell peppers for a refreshing base that’s teeming with texture. A zesty lime dressing, spiced with cumin and chili powder and balanced with a touch of honey, ties it all together, while creamy avocado and shredded cheddar cheese add indulgent richness. This quick and easy recipe comes together in just 25 minutes and is ideal for potlucks, picnics, or as a make-ahead meal. Serve it cold or at room temperature for a flavorful side dish that’s as satisfying as it is eye-catching.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Rotini pasta (or your choice of pasta)
- 1 can (15 oz) Black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup Corn kernels, fresh, canned, or frozen (thawed)
- 1 medium Red bell pepper, diced
- 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.5 small Red onion, finely chopped
- 0.25 cup Cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 medium Avocado, diced
- 1 large Lime, juiced
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine black beans, corn, diced red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and chopped cilantro.
In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
Add the cooked and cooled pasta to the bowl with the vegetables. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine thoroughly.
Gently fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and diced avocado, being careful not to mash the avocado.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve cold or at room temperature and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
386 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 18.0 g | 23% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.8 g | 29% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 20 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 301 mg | 13% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 45.8 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.3 g | 33% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.8 g | ||
| Protein | 14.5 g | 29% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 176 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 657 mg | 14% | |
*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.
