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Southwest Pasta Salad

Tender penne pasta, black beans, corn, peppers, cilantro, onions and tomatoes tossed in a delicious and creamy avocado lime dressing. This southwest pasta salad is easy, healthy and full of Mexican flavors!

Southwest pasta salad in white bowl.
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Easy Southwestern Pasta Salad

Today I have a super easy and delish recipe for you…my favorite southwest pasta salad! This dish is a quick and simple vegetarian pasta salad recipe that’s loaded with veggies and fresh flavor. It’s the perfect recipe to bring to a BBQ along with my broccoli salad recipe and it makes a wonderful addition to any potluck, picnic or just enjoyed as a side dish with dinner.

The avocado lime dressing is made using avocado, Greek yogurt and a little taco seasoning, among other flavorful ingredients. Blend it all together and then drizzle on the top or toss it in with the noodles and veggies. It’s super creamy and packs a punch of flavor in every bite. Your family will love it and keep going back for more!

Recipe Ingredients

Bright and fresh veggies pair perfectly with pasta, beans, and corn before being tossed in an avocado lime dressing ties it all together.

Pasta salad ingredients in bowl.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Pasta. I prefer penne for this salad as it is typically on hand and holds the dressing beautifully.
  • Black beans. A great way to sneak in a little extra protein and they go great with corn.
  • Corn. The sweetness of corn works so well with the zesty dressing.
  • Bell pepper. I like to use orange bell peppers for their subtle spice, but any color will do.
  • Cherry tomatoes. The brightness and acidity of tomatoes add an extra layer of flavor.
  • Cilantro. The freshness of this herb plays perfectly with the bright flavors.
  • Green onions. The slight crunch and zip of green onion works is a great addition to the other flavors and textures.
  • Dressing. I love to make the Avocado Lime Dressing for this southwest pasta salad, but cilantro lime dressing or an easy salsa ranch dressing would be amazing, too.

Tips for the Best Southwest Pasta Salad

  • Ripe veggies. Look for veggies that are crisp, bold in color and have a fragrant aroma. Freshly picked ripe vegetables will make a big difference in flavor.
  • Finely dice. While the pasta cooks, dice the veggies and herbs into small, evenly sized-pieces. Chopping them into smaller pieces allows for more veggies to make their way onto your fork with each bite!
  • Serving the dressing. If you prefer a well coated and creamy pasta salad, toss the dressing in with the remaining ingredients until the whole salad is covered in dressing. For a more subtle taste, try drizzling the dressing on top right before enjoying.

How to Make Southwest Pasta Salad

It just takes four steps to create a fresh and hearty salad.

The process of making southwest pasta salad in a four step photo collage.
  • Cook the pasta. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and run under cold water.
  • Layer the ingredients. In a large bowl, add the pasta, black beans, corn, bell peppers, green onion, tomatoes, and cilantro.
  • Make the dressing. In a food processor or blender, blend avocado, green onions, garlic, Greek yogurt, milk, lime juice, cumin, taco seasoning., salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. If too thick, add a little more milk to thin it out.
  • Serve. Drizzle dressing over the top of the salad or toss it with the other ingredients to combine.

Modifications

  • Dressing. Other types of creamy dressings would also taste delicious. Try this cilantro lime dressing or an easy salsa ranch dressing.
  • Grilled corn. The char and smoky flavor from grilled corn adds another delicious component to this dish. It’s not a necessity, but it really does make a difference in flavor.
  • Protein. Although this is a vegetarian recipe, that doesn’t mean you can’t add meat. It would taste delicious with grilled chicken or salsa chicken added in. Ground beef would make it a variation of a taco salad!
  • Extras. The deliciousness doesn’t have to stop here. Try adding in a few extras for more flavor, such as cotija cheese, black olives or diced jalapenos.
Southwest pasta salad in bowl.

Recipe FAQs

What is the best pasta for Southwest Pasta Salad?

You want to use a variety of pasta that holds the sauce nicely with it’s shape and ridges. Penne is usually my first pick (and it’s almost always in the pantry), however rotini, farfalle and macaroni noodles are all great options.

Can this Southwest Pasta Salad be made gluten-free?

With a simple swap in pasta, this dish can easily be made gluten-free. Use your favorite gluten-free pasta or even some cooked quinoa like I did in this southwest quinoa salad.

Can I dress this pasta salad the night before?

For this southwest version, you can assemble all the salad ingredients but I would wait to add the dressing until right before serving since it is avocado based and might brown.

How long does this Southwest pasta salad last?

You can store this for up to 3 days covered in the refrigerator. If the pasta starts to dry out, you can add some additional dressing.

Make-Ahead and Storing

This recipe can easily be made ahead of time. Mix all ingredients together and hold off on adding the dressing. Cover with plastic wrap or lid and store in fridge until ready to serve. Then toss in the avocado lime dressing to evenly coat the pasta and veggies.

If you have leftovers, simply place them in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Sometimes I save a little extra of the dressing and mix it in before enjoying again so that the noodles don’t dry out. :)

Need more recipes with fresh southwest flavor? Try this avocado salsa recipe, southwest cornbread salad or this corn and tomato salad!

More Potluck Salad Recipes

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southwest pasta salad in bowl

Southwest Pasta Salad

5 from 11 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Tender penne pasta, black beans, corn, peppers, cilantro, onions and tomatoes tossed in a delicious and creamy avocado lime dressing. This southwest pasta salad is easy, healthy and full of Mexican flavors!
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Video

Ingredients 

Avocado Lime Dressing

  • 2 avocados , pitted and halved
  • 3 green onions
  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • 3 Tablespoons fat free plain Greek yogurt
  • ¾ cup fat free milk
  • ¼ lime , juiced
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt

Pasta Salad

  • 1 (13.25-ounce_ box penne pasta
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans , drained and rinsed
  • 1 (11-ounce) can corn , drained and rinsed
  • ½ orange bell pepper , chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • 3 green onions , sliced
  • 5 ounces cherry tomatoes , halved

Instructions

Avocado Lime Dressing

  • In the base of a food processor or blender, pulse avocados, green onions, garlic, Greek yogurt, milk, lime juice, cumin, taco seasoning., salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. If too thick, add a little more milk to thin it out.

Pasta Salad

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  • In a large bowl, toss pasta, black beans, corn, bell pepper, cilantro, green onions, and cherry tomatoes until combined.
  • Serve either by drizzling with dressing (as shown) or toss to coat pasta and veggies. Enjoy!

Notes

Variations: You can use other dressings like cilantro lime dressing or salsa ranch. 
Meat: Feel free to mix in some grilled chicken or shredded chicken
Make ahead: Mix all ingredients together, however do not add dressing. Cover with plastic wrap or lid and store in fridge until ready to serve. Then toss in dressing to evenly coat the other ingredients. 
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days. Sometimes I save a little extra of the dressing and mix it in before enjoying again so that the pasta doesn’t dry out. 

Nutrition

Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 112mg | Potassium: 507mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 448IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mexican

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Recipe contributed by Jen from Yummy Healthy Easy.

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