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–+ servings

Cowboy Pasta Salad Bold Flavors

This Cowboy Pasta Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish packed with colorful vegetables, zesty dressing, and protein, perfect for picnics or potlucks.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Base
  • 8 ounces cavatappi pasta or any pasta of choice
  • 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup sweet corn canned or frozen
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup red bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup green onions chopped
For the Dressing
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro chopped

Method
 

Prepare the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the cavatappi pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
  2. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
Combine the Base Ingredients
  1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, black beans, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, and green onions.
Prepare the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Mix Salad and Dressing
  1. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
Serve
  1. Transfer the pasta salad to a serving dish. Top with sliced avocado and chopped cilantro just before serving.
  2. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to let flavors meld.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 12gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 350mgFiber: 8gSugar: 3g

Notes

For added flavor, consider adding diced jalapeños for a kick or some crumbled feta cheese for creaminess.

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