Easy Southwest Pasta Salad with Lime Vinaigrette Dressing
Tuck into this gorgeous, fresh easy Southwest Pasta Salad! Black beans, corn, red peppers, jalapenos, cilantro and red onions feature in this pasta salad. With the addition of the lime vinaigrette... oh, myyyyyyy. Pair with grilled protein for a super summery dinner!
Servings 8
Calories 234kcal
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Gemelli Pasta
- 15.25oz can sweet corn
- 15oz can black beans
- 1 cup red pepper (diced)
- ½ cup red onion (diced small)
- 1 small jalapeño (diced small)
- 1/2 cup cilantro finely chopped
DRESSING
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup white vinegar (use white wine or rice)
- ¼ cup lime juice fresh
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked pepper
GARNISH
- queso Fresco cheese (I used about 1/3 of a round)
- extra limes
- extra cilantro
Instructions
Prepare the ingredients
- Cook the 12 ounces Gemelli Pasta in salted boiling water until al dente.
- Drain and set aside to cool.
- Drain and rinse the 15.25oz can sweet corn and 15oz can black beans, and dice the 1 cup red pepper, ½ cup red onion, 1 small jalapeño, and 1/2 cup cilantro .
Make the dressing:
- Whisk together ¼ cup olive oil, ¼ cup white vinegar, ¼ cup lime juice, 1 teaspoon lime zest, 2 cloves garlic, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon cracked pepper, until very well blended (alternatively put all the ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake).
Assembly
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, the vegetables and the dressing.
Garnish
- Add queso Fresco cheese, serve immediately with extra limes and extra cilantro, or store in the refrigerator for a few days.
- Devour.
Nutrition
Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 296mg | Potassium: 171mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 675IU | Vitamin C: 29.4mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
