Description
Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad is a vibrant, Tex-Mex inspired side dish featuring rotini pasta, beans, corn, and fresh veggies tossed in a zesty lime dressing. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for summer gatherings or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta (tri-color or regular)
- 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup sweet corn kernels (frozen and thawed, fresh, or canned)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped (soaked in cold water for 5 min)
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 avocado, diced (optional, add just before serving)
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon each)
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber (optional)
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced (optional)
- Crumbled feta or cotija cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes for al dente). Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, honey or agave, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until fully blended.
- While pasta cools, chop cherry tomatoes, red and green bell peppers, red onion, and jalapeño. Dice avocado just before serving. Rinse and drain beans and corn.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro. Pour half the dressing over and toss gently. Add more dressing as needed.
- Stir in avocado, cucumber, and green onions if using. Adjust salt, pepper, or lime juice to taste. Sprinkle with feta or cotija cheese just before serving, if desired.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
For gluten-free, use rice or lentil pasta. For vegan, use agave and skip cheese. Add avocado just before serving to prevent browning. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Customize with extra veggies or protein as desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (180g) per serving
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 8
Keywords: cowboy caviar, pasta salad, summer side dish, Tex-Mex, vegetarian, gluten-free option, easy salad, potluck, picnic, lime dressing