Zesty Southwestern Pasta Salad
Brighten up your table with this refreshing and flavorful Zesty Southwestern Pasta Salad! Bursting with vibrant colors and bold flavors, this easy-to-make dish combines tender rotini pasta with hearty black beans, sweet corn, crisp bell peppers, and aromatic cilantro. Tossed in a zippy lime and olive oil dressing spiced with chili powder, cumin, and garlic, this pasta salad delivers a perfect balance of tangy, smoky, and savory notes. Ready in just 30 minutes and perfect for meal prep, picnics, or potlucks, this zesty dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a versatile side or light main that’s as satisfying as it is nutritious.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 15 ounces black beans
- 1 cup sweet corn (frozen or canned)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 0.5 red onion, finely chopped
- 0.25 cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 lime, juiced
- 0.25 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
If using canned black beans, rinse and drain them thoroughly. If using frozen sweet corn, thaw and drain any excess water.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, black beans, sweet corn, diced red and green bell peppers, red onion, and chopped cilantro.
In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss well to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve chilled or at room temperature. Garnish with additional cilantro if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
269 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 10.6 g | 14% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.4 g | 7% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 469 mg | 20% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 38.4 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.7 g | 24% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.6 g | ||
| Protein | 8.3 g | 17% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 51 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 238 mg | 5% | |
*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.
