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Fresh Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad with Zesty Lime Cilantro Dressing

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A fresh, light, and colorful pasta salad combining cowboy caviar ingredients with a zesty lime cilantro dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings and pairs well with grilled dishes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta (tri-color adds a fun look)
  • 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup canned corn, drained (or fresh grilled corn for extra smokiness)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup diced cucumber (seeded for less moisture)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey or agave
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini or fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool and stop cooking. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. While pasta cooks, rinse 1 cup canned black beans and 1 cup canned corn under cold water. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1/2 cup red bell pepper and 1/2 cup cucumber (seeded), finely chop 1/4 cup red onion and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro. Toss all into a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey or agave, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. Adjust sweetness or acidity if needed.
  4. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with veggies and beans. Pour the dressing over and gently toss until evenly coated. Add more olive oil or lime juice if salad seems dry.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Before serving, toss gently again and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with extra cilantro or a squeeze of lime if desired.

Notes

Rinse pasta with cold water after cooking to prevent sogginess. Use fresh lime juice for best flavor. Let salad chill at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. For vegan version, substitute honey with agave or maple syrup. Gluten-free pasta works well as a substitute. Add diced jalapeños or hot sauce for spice. Adding diced avocado before serving adds creaminess.

Nutrition

Keywords: cowboy caviar, pasta salad, lime cilantro dressing, summer salad, easy pasta salad, gluten-free option, vegan option, healthy salad

Find it online: https://islatable.com/fresh-cowboy-caviar-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-lime-cilantro-dressing/