Southwest Pasta Salad

This Southwest Pasta Salad is a vibrant and satisfying dish packed with bold flavors and fresh ingredients, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or impressive potluck contributions. It offers a delightful twist on traditional pasta salads, making it a go-to for busy home cooks seeking delicious and healthy meal options.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 15

Chilling Time 30

Total Time 35

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Southwestern

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Pasta

1 pound rotini pasta (or other short pasta shape like penne or farfalle)

Beans and Corn

1 (15-ounce) can black beans drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can corn drained

Vegetables

1 red bell pepper diced
1/2 red onion finely diced

Herbs and Cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta cheese as a substitute)

Optional Addition

1/4 cup chopped green chilies (optional, for extra heat)

To Add Before Serving

1 ripe avocado diced (add just before serving)

Creamy Southwest Dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons lime juice (from about 1 lime)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

Large pot,
Large Bowl
Whisk

Method

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water.
1 pound rotini pasta
In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, cilantro, cotija cheese, and green chilies (if using).
1 pound rotini pasta, 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, 1 (15-ounce) can corn, 1 red bell pepper, 1/2 red onion, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese, 1/4 cup chopped green chilies
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder.
1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to combine.
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
salt, freshly ground black pepper
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until ready to serve. Add the diced avocado just before serving.
1 ripe avocado

Notes

For best results, chop all vegetables finely. Ensure pasta is fully cooled before combining with dressing.