Introducing our mouthwatering Black Bean and Corn Pasta Salad! Packed with vibrant flavors, this delightful dish combines perfectly cooked pasta with nutritious black beans and sweet corn. With a zesty dressing that tantalizes your taste buds, it’s an irresistible blend of textures and colors. Whether as a refreshing side or a satisfying main course, this salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. Get ready to elevate your summer meals with this simple yet sensational recipe!
Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad
This Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad combines fusilli pasta with corn, black beans, bell pepper, and cilantro for a Southwestern flair. It’s a favorite at cookouts and barbecues, as it combines all the great Southwestern flavors in one bowl. The creamy sauce ties it all together and makes it a summer classic for my family.
To make this salad, start by boiling the pasta until al dente. Allow it to cool before adding it to a large bowl. Add the corn, black beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, and cilantro to the bowl. Stir everything together.
In a small bowl, blend mayonnaise, lime or lemon juice, cumin, chili powder, and salt to make the dressing. Just before serving the salad, add the dressing to it and stir to combine. Add diced avocado and red pepper flakes (if desired) right before serving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad recipe requires the following ingredients:
- Fusilli pasta – You can substitute the fusilli with any corkscrew pasta, bowtie pasta, or even simple macaroni noodles. Use whatever you have on hand.
- Corn – Canned corn works well and provides a good crunch. It’s a quick and easy way to enjoy corn in this salad.
- Black beans – Adds protein and texture to the salad.
- Bell pepper – Choose your favorite color bell pepper (red, green, yellow, or orange) for added sweetness and crunch.
- Cilantro – Fresh cilantro adds a burst of flavor to the salad.
- Avocado – Diced avocado is added right before serving to keep it fresh and bright green.
- Dressing ingredients: Mayonnaise, lime (or lemon) juice, cumin, chili powder, and salt. This creamy dressing ties all the flavors together.
How to Make Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad
To make this delicious Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad, start by boiling the fusilli pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside to cool.
In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with canned corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, bell pepper, and cilantro. Stir everything together until well combined.
In a small bowl, prepare the dressing for the salad by blending together mayonnaise, lime or lemon juice, cumin, chili powder, and salt until smooth. Add the dressing to the pasta salad and stir well to coat all of the ingredients.
If you’re not serving the salad immediately, store it in the refrigerator covered. Just before serving, dice an avocado and sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top for added heat. Gently stir in the avocado and garnish with red pepper flakes.
This Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad benefits from being refrigerated for about 30 minutes before serving so that all of the flavors can meld together. However, be aware that leftovers may become watery after a day or two due to the presence of avocado in the salad.
Tips and Notes
– To make this pasta salad even more flavorful, you can add some diced red onion or minced garlic to the salad ingredients. This will give it an extra kick of flavor.
– If you don’t have cilantro on hand or don’t like the taste, you can substitute it with fresh parsley or even basil. This will still give the salad a fresh and herbaceous flavor.
– If you want to make this salad ahead of time, you can prepare all the ingredients and store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply combine everything together and add the dressing.
– If you’re serving this pasta salad for a potluck or picnic, keep it chilled in a cooler or with ice packs to ensure that it stays fresh and safe to eat.
Main Dishes to Serve This With
Main Dishes to Serve This With:
This Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad pairs well with a variety of main dishes, making it a versatile and delicious addition to any meal. Here are some main dishes that would complement this salad perfectly:
1. Marinated Grilled Chicken Thighs: The smoky flavors of grilled chicken thighs go hand in hand with the Southwestern flavors of this pasta salad. The tangy and creamy dressing will complement the juicy chicken thighs perfectly.
2. Tri Tip Steak: The bold flavors of Tri Tip steak make it an ideal pairing for this flavorful pasta salad. The combination of tender steak and crunchy vegetables in the salad creates a satisfying and balanced meal.
3. Air Fryer Chicken Patties: For a lighter option, serve this pasta salad alongside crispy air-fried chicken patties. The creamy sauce in the salad adds a burst of flavor to the juicy chicken patties, creating a delicious contrast.
These main dishes offer a range of flavors and textures that complement the Southwestern flair of the Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad. Whether you’re grilling, baking, or air frying your main dish, this pasta salad is sure to be a hit at your next cookout or barbecue.
Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad
This Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad combines fusilli pasta with corn, black beans, bell pepper, and cilantro for a Southwestern flair. It’s a favorite dish at cookouts and barbecues, and it’s no wonder why. The salad combines all the great Southwestern flavors in one bowl, with a creamy sauce that ties it all together. It’s a summer classic for my family and goes well with any summer dish we’re serving.
To make the salad, start by boiling the pasta until al dente. Allow it to cool before adding it to a large bowl. Add corn, black beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, and cilantro to the bowl. Stir everything together.
Next, make the creamy sauce by blending mayonnaise, lime (or lemon) juice, cumin, chili powder, and salt in a small bowl until smooth. Add the dressing to the salad just before serving. If you’re not serving the salad right away, store the salad and dressing separately and combine them within an hour of serving.
Add diced avocado and red pepper flakes (if desired) just before serving. Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. The salad will keep for a day or two but note that avocados don’t keep well in salads for long periods.
Ingredients
This Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad combines fusilli pasta with corn, black beans, bell pepper, and cilantro for a Southwestern flair. The ingredients you’ll need for this recipe are:
– Fusilli pasta
– Corn (canned or fresh)
– Black beans
– Tomatoes
– Bell pepper
– Cilantro
– Avocado
– Red pepper flakes (optional)
For the dressing, you’ll need:
– Mayonnaise
– Lime juice (or lemon juice)
– Cumin
– Chili powder
– Salt
Feel free to substitute the fusilli pasta with any corkscrew pasta, bowtie pasta, or even simple macaroni noodles. You can also use canned corn for convenience. Make sure to add the diced avocado right before serving to keep it fresh and bright green.
For the dressing
To make the dressing for the Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad, blend all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. The dressing should be added to the salad just before serving. If you’re not serving the salad right away, store the salad and dressing separately and put the dressing on within an hour of serving. Stir the dressing into the salad, adding salt and pepper to taste as you go. This allows you to adjust the seasoning to your preference.
Instructions
Start by boiling the fusilli pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta with canned corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, bell pepper, and cilantro. Stir everything together.
In a small bowl, blend together mayonnaise, lime (or lemon) juice, cumin, chili powder, and salt to make the dressing. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and stir to combine.
Refrigerate the salad covered for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow all the flavors to meld together.
Just before serving, dice an avocado and add it to the salad. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired for some added heat.
Nutrition
This Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad is a wholesome and nutritious dish that combines pasta, vegetables, and a creamy sauce. It is packed with fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. The nutritional content may vary based on the specific ingredients used and serving size.
A typical serving of this salad (about 1 cup) contains approximately:
- Calories: 300
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sodium: 400mg
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 7g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 10g
This salad is a great source of complex carbohydrates from the pasta, which provides energy for your body. The black beans contribute to the protein content, making it suitable for vegetarians or those looking to incorporate more plant-based proteins into their diet.
The fresh vegetables like corn, bell pepper, and cilantro add a variety of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and folate. These nutrients are essential for supporting overall health and well-being.
The creamy dressing in this salad is made with mayonnaise and lime juice. While it adds flavor and creaminess to the dish, it also contributes to the fat content. However, you can choose to use light mayo or reduce the amount of dressing if you prefer a lighter option.
This Corn & Black Bean Pasta Salad can be enjoyed as a side dish or main course. It’s versatile and pairs well with grilled meats or can be eaten on its own for a satisfying vegetarian meal.
In conclusion, black bean and corn pasta salad is a delicious and healthy dish that combines the flavors of black beans, corn, and pasta. It offers a great source of protein, fiber, and vitamins. This versatile salad can be enjoyed as a side dish or a main course, making it perfect for any occasion.
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