Description
Bold, creamy, and packed with Southwest flavor, this Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad is the ultimate mashup of a zesty cowboy caviar dip and a hearty pasta salad. It’s full of black beans, corn, bell peppers, avocado, and tossed in a tangy, creamy dressing that makes every bite pop. This dish is perfect for BBQs, meal prep, or a quick and satisfying lunch. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, easy dinner, or a healthy snack to prep ahead, this recipe covers it all. If you’re on the hunt for vibrant dinner ideas, food ideas for a party, or just an easy recipe to impress, look no further!
Ingredients
1½ cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ red onion, finely chopped
1 avocado, diced
1 jalapeño, finely chopped (optional)
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons lime juice
⅓ cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
¼ cup mayonnaise
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente (about 7–9 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayo, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
3. In a large bowl, combine pasta, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro.
4. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss gently to coat.
5. Gently fold in the diced avocado.
6. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
7. Stir gently before serving, and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
For best flavor, let the salad chill at least 30 minutes before serving.
Add the avocado right before serving to prevent browning.
If the dressing thickens in the fridge, loosen it with a splash of lime juice or water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: cowboy caviar, pasta salad, meal prep, summer salad, potluck, quick lunch, easy dinner