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!

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Easy Southwestern Pasta Salad

My favorite southwest pasta salad 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 and like broccoli salad recipe 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! It’s super creamy and packs a punch of flavor in every bite. Your family will love it just as much as my creamy bacon ranch pasta salad and easy macaroni salad!

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.

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.

• 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.

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. :)

More Potluck Salad Recipes

Recipe contributed by Jen from Yummy Healthy Easy.