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a serving of southwest pasta salad in a white bowl with a fork inside.
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5 from 1 vote

Southwest Pasta Salad

This Southwest Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish that's perfect for any occasion. With fresh vegetables, hearty black beans, and a zesty lime dressing, it's a crowd-pleaser that's both delicious and easy to prepare. Enjoy it at your next picnic, BBQ, or as a healthy meal any day of the week!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Chilling Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 27 minutes
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pasta salad, southwest pasta salad
Servings: 8
Calories: 436kcal
Author: Joanna Cismaru

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fusili pasta or penne
  • 15 ounces black beans rinsed and drained, 1 can
  • 15 ounces corn drained
  • 2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
  • ½ medium red onion chopped
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1 medium jalapeno pepper seeded and minced
  • ½ cup cotija cheese or feta, crumbled

For Dressing

  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  • In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, black beans, corn, red and green bell peppers, red onion, cilantro, and jalapeno pepper. Toss to combine.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, garlic, honey, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to coat.
  • Sprinkle the crumbled cotija cheese over the top of the pasta salad.
  • Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight) before serving.

Video

Notes

  1. Pasta: Any type of pasta can work in this recipe. Fusilli, penne, or bowtie are great options.
  2. Cheese: Cotija is suggested for an authentic flavor, but feta or crumbled goat cheese can also be used.
  3. Heat Level: Adjust the spice level to your liking. For a milder salad, omit the jalapeno pepper or remove the seeds and ribs.
  4. Protein: Feel free to add in grilled chicken, shrimp, or bacon for extra protein.
  5. Make Ahead: This salad tastes even better when made ahead of time. Let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour, but overnight is best for flavor melding.
  6. Storage: Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Stir before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 436kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 120mg | Potassium: 584mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 581IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 3mg