Description
This Southwest Pasta Salad is bold, creamy, and packed with flavor in every bite. Made with bowtie pasta, black beans, corn, bacon, fresh veggies, and a chili-lime dressing, it’s an easy make-ahead dish that’s fresh, hearty, and full of Southwest flavor!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces bowtie pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (15 ounces) corn kernels, drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium orange or yellow bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1 large avocado, diced, added just before serving
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice, from 4 to 5 limes
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking, then toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, drained corn, black beans, diced bell peppers, cilantro, jalapeño, chopped bacon, and Cotija cheese. Toss gently to mix everything evenly. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, hot sauce, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated. If adding avocado, fold it in gently now or just before serving to keep it fresh.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors develop.
- Serve cold or at room temperature. Garnish with extra cilantro, Cotija, or a lime wedge if you like.
Notes
- This salad is great for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Southwest Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad, Southwest, Salad, Vegetarian