Description
This Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for summer gatherings. With a zesty lime dressing and a mix of colorful veggies, it’s a delightful twist on traditional pasta salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz rotini or bowtie pasta
Salad Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
- 1 cup black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- ½ red onion (finely diced)
- ½ cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
Lime Dressing:
- zest and juice of 2 limes
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta as per package instructions until al dente. Rinse under cold water and transfer to a large bowl.
- Prepare Dressing: Whisk together lime zest, lime juice, olive oil, honey/maple syrup, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Combine Ingredients: Add tomatoes, corn, black beans, bell pepper, onion, and cilantro to the pasta.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving cold or at room temperature.
Notes
- For added creaminess, mix in diced avocado just before serving.
- This salad can be made a day ahead; just refresh with lime juice and olive oil if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiled
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
