Description
This Mexican Pasta Salad is a feast of color and flavor! A combination of zesty taco seasoning, creamy dressing, and fresh veggies like corn, bell peppers, and avocado make it perfect for summer gatherings. The black beans add a satisfying protein boost, while cotija cheese and fresh cilantro round out the Tex-Mex taste. Ideal for BBQs, picnics, or a casual family dinner, this salad brings a refreshing, bold flavor to the table. You can easily prepare it ahead of time, letting the flavors meld in the fridge. Serve it chilled as a standout side dish or even a light vegetarian main!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- Pasta Salad:
- 16 oz (450 g) pasta, such as rotini or elbow macaroni
- 2 medium ears of corn or 1 cup charred corn kernels
- 3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), diced
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 small red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 large avocado, diced
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta as an alternative)
- Creamy Taco Dressing:
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 3 tbsp taco seasoning
- 4 tsp fresh lime juice
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water, add the pasta, and cook as per package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and set aside.
- (Optional) Char the corn by cutting off kernels and cooking them in a skillet with oil until tender and lightly charred, about 10-15 minutes. Let cool.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, taco seasoning, lime juice, garlic, and salt until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta, corn, bell peppers, black beans, red onion, cilantro, avocado, and cherry tomatoes.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently until fully coated. Sprinkle with cotija cheese and additional cilantro if desired.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate for at least an hour for flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 402 kcal per serving