Description
This Southwest Pasta Salad is bursting with flavors, featuring black beans, corn, and fresh veggies for a delightful dish that’s simple to prepare and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces bowtie pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (15 ounces) corn kernels, drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained, rinsed
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium orange or yellow bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 medium jalapeño, seeded, finely diced
- 6 strips bacon, cooked, crumbled
- ½ cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1 large avocado, diced, added just before serving
- 1 cup (220 g) mayonnaise
- 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice, from 4 to 5 limes
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, then toss with olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with corn, black beans, diced bell peppers, cilantro, jalapeño, crumbled bacon, and Cotija cheese. Toss gently to mix until evenly incorporated. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, hot sauce, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss until thoroughly coated. If using avocado, fold it in gently now or just before serving.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve cold or at room temperature, garnishing with extra cilantro, Cotija, or lime wedges if desired.
Notes
For extra zest, add more lime juice or hot sauce to taste.
This salad can be made a day ahead for even better flavor development.
Add grilled chicken for a heartier dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 20mg