Vegan-Friendly Taco Pasta Salad

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Picture a dish that combines the bold flavors of a taco with the comfort of pasta salad. You’ll love this tasty combination that’s bursting with fresh veggies, hearty beans, and zesty spices. This dish makes the perfect quick meal or a vibrant addition to any potluck. Easy to whip up, it pleases anyone looking for something flavorful yet simple. Dive into a bowl that brings creativity to your table and satisfies both your taste buds and your schedule.

Tool Requirements

To make taco pasta salad, you’ll need a few basic things from your kitchen. A large pot is necessary to cook the pasta. Make sure the pot is big enough, so the pasta has room to move around and cook evenly.

A colander comes in handy for draining the pasta. This prevents excess water from mixing with the other ingredients, keeping your salad just right.

Next, getting a cutting board and a sharp knife is important. These will make chopping up your fresh ingredients, like tomatoes and any other extras, quick and easy.

A mixing bowl is also essential. Choose one that has plenty of space to toss all the ingredients together without making a mess on your counter.

For mixing, a sturdy spoon or a spatula will work great. It helps you combine everything smoothly, making sure each bite gets some of that tasty taco flavor.

Finally, if you want to squeeze a bit of lime over the salad, a lime squeezer can be useful, though not necessary. It gives your dish an extra kick without too much effort.

Preparing The Ingredients

First, grab your favorite pasta. Any type works, but shorter shapes like rotini or penne hold sauce and flavors well. Cook it according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside to cool.

Next, you’ll need some taco seasoning. You can use a store-bought packet or mix your own with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika.

For the salad, prepare a variety of fresh vegetables. Dice some tomatoes and bell peppers. Chop a little red onion. Don’t forget canned corn and black beans; rinse those well before using.

You’ll also need a good dressing. A creamy avocado dressing works perfectly here. We’ll tell you how to make that as well but you’ll need avocado, lime juice, olive oil, some garlic, salt and pepper.

Finally, gather your toppings. Consider shredded lettuce, chopped cilantro, or jalapeños for a kick. Shredded cheese or a plant-based cheese are great options.

Make sure everything is ready before assembling. This will make the process quick and easy when you combine the ingredients. Enjoy the process of putting everything together for a tasty meal!

Serving Suggestions

• You can serve taco pasta salad chilled or at room temperature. It makes a great dish for outdoor picnics or casual dinners with friends. A nice touch is adding some fresh lime wedges on the side. The citrusy flavor really perks up the taste.
• To give your salad a more colorful look, add sliced avocados or cherry tomatoes. They not only look good but also taste amazing with the spicy dressing. You might even sprinkle some cilantro on top for a fresh, herby finish.
• Pair the salad with tortilla chips for a crunchy side. Chips add a great texture contrast. For more flavor, you can add a dollop of salsa or a drizzle of hot sauce over the salad before serving. This adds a zesty kick that many will love.
• The dish works well for potlucks or casual family nights. Set it out in a big bowl and let everyone serve themselves. It’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy with a group. Just remember to toss it a bit before serving to mix all the ingredients well.

Storage Tips

• After making your tasty taco pasta salad, you might want to save some for later. Keep any leftovers in an airtight container. This helps maintain freshness.
• Store it in the fridge, where it should stay good for about 3 to 4 days. Before you eat it again, give it a good stir to mix everything up nicely.
• If you need the salad to last longer, consider freezing it. Just be aware that freezing might change the texture a bit. When you’re ready to eat, let it thaw in the fridge before serving.
• Add fresh toppings like avocado or cilantro right before serving to keep them bright and tasty. These can go mushy if stored with the rest of the salad.

Vegan-Friendly Taco Pasta Salad

This easy-to-make vegan taco 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 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 2 cups of cooked pasta rotini or penne
• 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning
• 1 cup of diced tomatoes
• 1 cup of diced bell peppers
• 1/4 cup of chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup of canned corn rinsed
• 1/2 cup of canned black beans rinsed
• 1 cup of shredded lettuce
• 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup of shredded cheese or plant-based cheese
• sliced jalapeños for a kick optional

Creamy Avocado Dressing

• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 tablespoons of lime juice
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

 

• Cook your favorite pasta, like rotini or penne, according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside to cool.
• Mix 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning with the cooled pasta.
• Dice tomatoes and bell peppers.
• Chop red onion.
• Rinse canned corn and black beans well.
• In a blender or food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 minced clove of garlic, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth to make the creamy avocado dressing.
• Shred lettuce and chop cilantro.
• Combine the seasoned pasta, diced tomatoes, diced bell peppers, chopped red onion, rinsed corn, and rinsed black beans in a large bowl.
• Add the creamy avocado dressing and mix well to evenly coat all ingredients.
• Top with shredded lettuce, chopped cilantro, and shredded cheese or plant-based cheese.
• Optionally, add sliced jalapeños for an extra kick.
• Serve and enjoy your flavorful taco pasta salad!

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal

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.