Description
A bright and refreshing pasta salad with a creamy cilantro lime dressing. Perfect for summer BBQs, potlucks, or meal prep, this zesty dish combines tender pasta, crisp veggies, and a luscious, tangy dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta Salad:
- 12 oz pasta (rotini, bowtie, or penne)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup corn (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
For the Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter option)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Juice of 2 limes
- Zest of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
Step 2: Prepare the Dressing
- In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, and lime zest.
- Stir in cilantro, garlic, cumin, salt, black pepper, and olive oil.
- Mix until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, cherry tomatoes, red onion, corn, bell pepper, and black beans.
- Pour dressing over the mixture and toss to coat evenly.
- Gently fold in avocado and fresh cilantro.
Step 4: Chill and Serve
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
Notes
- Make it spicy: Add diced jalapeños or cayenne pepper.
- Protein boost: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
- Cheesy twist: Sprinkle with crumbled feta or cotija cheese.
- Extra crunch: Toss in crushed tortilla chips just before serving.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Tip: Add avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- chill time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: mexican inspired
Keywords: pasta salad, cilantro lime dressing, summer salad, creamy pasta, easy potluck recipe