Southwest Pasta Salad

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Get ready to enjoy a delicious twist on pasta salad! With fresh veggies and a bit of spice, this southwest pasta dish brings together everything you love about hearty meals in a light and refreshing way. Packed with flavor, this dish is perfect for your next meal or gathering.

Experience the bold flavors of black beans, corn, and bell peppers mixed with a tangy dressing. It’s a simple and easy-to-make meal that anyone can enjoy. Perfect for those busy days when you want something satisfying without the fuss. Dive in and treat yourself!

Tool Requirements

When you’re making a southwest pasta salad, you’ll need a few basic tools. First, grab a large pot to boil your pasta. Make sure it’s big enough for the pasta to cook evenly.

Next, reach for a cutting board and a sharp knife. These are essential for chopping your fresh ingredients like peppers and onions.

You’ll also want a mixing bowl. This is where all the delicious magic happens. It’s where you toss everything together and mix until every bite is flavorful.

A colander is useful to drain your pasta once it’s cooked. You don’t want it sitting in water too long or it’ll get mushy.

Don’t forget a spatula or large spoon for mixing everything. This will help you combine the ingredients without crushing any of them.

Finally, a measuring cup and spoons come in handy. You’ll use these to measure dressings and spices to get the balance just right.

Having these tools ready makes preparing your salad simple and fun.

Preparing The Ingredients

Start by gathering all your ingredients. You’ll need pasta, corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, and avocados. You can also add red onion and bell peppers for extra flavor. Make sure everything is fresh and ready to go.

Cook your pasta based on the package instructions. Choose a shape that holds dressing well, like rotini or bowtie. Once cooked, drain and let it cool a bit.

While the pasta cools, rinse the black beans and corn. If you’re using canned, make sure to drain them properly. Fresh corn can be cooked quickly on a skillet if you prefer.

Chop the cherry tomatoes in half. Dice the red onion and bell peppers into small pieces. Keep the sizes consistent so everything blends nicely in the salad.

Cut the avocados last so they don’t brown too quickly. Slice them into bite-sized cubes. A squeeze of lime can keep them fresh and add a zesty kick.

March through your spices for a zesty vibe. Mixing up some cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder will give your salad that spicy twist. Keep the salt and pepper handy to spice it up at the end.

Set everything out before combining it. This makes it easy to throw everything together quickly. Stay organized, and you’ll have a delicious dish in no time!

Serving Suggestions

• When you’re ready to serve your tasty Southwest pasta salad, think about pairing it with a simple side dish like baked tortilla chips or cornbread. These additions can add some delightful crunch and complementary flavors.
• Consider topping the pasta salad with fresh avocado slices or a sprinkle of cilantro. This not only adds a touch of freshness but also gives a nice pop of color to your plate.
• Place your pasta salad in a large, shallow bowl for a beautiful presentation at gatherings. The vibrant colors of the peppers, corn, and black beans will really stand out and impress your guests.
• If you want a heartier meal, serve the salad alongside grilled portobello mushrooms or some roasted veggies. These make the dish even more filling and satisfying.
• Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the salad just before serving. This boosts the flavors and gives a zesty finish that goes well with the Southwest theme.

Storage Tips

• Got some leftover southwest pasta salad? You can keep it fresh for later! First, make sure you have an airtight container. Place the pasta salad inside and seal it tight to prevent it from drying out.
• Put your container in the fridge. This should keep your salad fresh for about 3 to 4 days.
• If you need to store it longer, consider freezing it. Divide the salad into smaller portions before freezing so you can thaw just what you need.
• When you’re ready to eat it again, move the container from the freezer to the fridge, letting it thaw slowly. This keeps the salad from getting too mushy.
• Before you dig in, give it a good stir. You might even want to add a few fresh ingredients or a splash of dressing to boost the flavor.
• By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to enjoy your delicious pasta salad even days later!

Southwest Pasta Salad

This easy-to-make southwest pasta salad is what you're looking for! Whether you're looking for an easy and healthy pasta salad recipe or a vegan pasta salad recipe, this has got you covered!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 2 servings

Calories 380 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 2 cups of pasta rotini or bowtie
• 1/2 cup of corn canned or fresh
• 1/2 cup of black beans canned
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 avocado
• 1/4 red onion
• 1/2 bell pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon of cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lime for juice

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Instructions

 

• Gather all your ingredients.
• Cook your pasta based on the package instructions.
• Drain the pasta and let it cool a bit.
• Rinse the black beans and corn, and drain them properly.
• Chop the cherry tomatoes in half.
• Dice the red onion and bell peppers into small pieces.
• Slice the avocado into bite-sized cubes.
• Squeeze lime juice over the avocado to keep it fresh.
• Mix cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder.
• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss everything together until well mixed.
• Serve immediately or chill for later.

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcal

Keyword Vegan

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Stefan K.

Stefan has been vegan since 2019 and has been regularly working on his strength since the beginning of 2023. He’s on a mission to help other vegans get stronger and have all of them achieve the quality of life they deserve.