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Southwestern Pasta Salad Side Dish

Southwestern Pasta Salad Side Dish Ready in 25 Minutes

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A bold and colorful pasta salad with black beans, corn, bell peppers, and a zesty lime and chili dressing. This Southwestern pasta salad works as a side dish for cookouts, potlucks, or weeknight dinners. Serve it chilled or at room temperature.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes plus cooling time
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini pasta
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder, or to taste
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 1/2 cups whole kernel corn
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 cup chopped roma tomatoes

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the vegetable oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt, and garlic. Stir until well mixed.
  3. Add the drained pasta to the bowl and toss to coat. Let it cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
  4. Stir in the corn, black beans, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and half of the cilantro leaves.
  5. Spoon the salad onto a serving platter. Top with the chopped roma tomatoes and the remaining cilantro.
  6. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Cook the pasta just to al dente so it holds its shape after tossing in the dressing.
  • Let the pasta cool fully before adding the vegetables to keep them crisp.
  • You can make this salad up to 24 hours ahead. Store it covered in the refrigerator.
  • Adjust the chili powder and cumin to match your preferred spice level.
  • Add diced avocado or shredded pepper jack cheese just before serving for extra flavor.
  • Frozen corn works well if fresh is not available. Thaw it before using.
  • Author: Emily Frost
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Southwestern
  • Diet: Vegan

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 320mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg