Description
A refreshing and flavorful Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad combining pasta, beans, corn, and a zesty lime-cumin vinaigrette for a summer-perfect dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12–16 ounces short pasta (penne, rotini, or farfalle)
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn, roasted or grilled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes or fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (red or yellow)
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 cup diced avocado (added just before serving)
- Optional: crumbled queso fresco or feta, sliced jalapeño, sautéed cremini mushrooms
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook short pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water; toss with a teaspoon of olive oil.
- If using, sauté 1 small shallot and 2 cloves of minced garlic in a splash of olive oil until fragrant, then set aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, and red onion.
- For the dressing, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, ground cumin, smoked paprika, honey (or agave), salt, and pepper.
- Add cooled pasta and sautéed shallot/garlic to the bowl of vegetables. Pour dressing over and toss to coat. Fold in cilantro and avocado just before serving.
- Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Adjust lime and salt as needed before serving.
Notes
To enhance smokiness, grill the corn and bell peppers. Always rinse canned beans well to reduce sodium.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: pasta salad, cowboy caviar, summer salad, vegetarian salad, potluck
