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Mexican Pasta Salad

This festive Mexican-inspired Pasta Salad features a homemade Jalapeno Lime Dressing and is a summer picnic side dish MUST.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
33 mins
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 154 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican-American Fusion

Ingredients

  • 1 12 ounce box tri-color rotini pasta
  • ½ cup red onion (finely diced)
  • 6 sweet mini peppers (I used 3 red and 3 yellow peppers)
  • ½ cup black olives (sliced)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (quartered)
  • 1 Jalapeño (finely diced)
  • feta cheese (or cotija)
Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette
  • 10 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 2 jalapeños (seeded)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Prepare the pasta according to package directions. I like to cook my pasta to slightly al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Don't forget to salt the water!
  2. Rinse pasta under cold running water when it's finished cooking. Let drain.
  3. Prepare the vinaigrette by adding all ingredients except the extra virgin olive oil to a blender. Blend for 20 seconds.
  4. With the blender still running, drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil. Blend an additional 5-10 seconds once all of the oil has been added.
  5. Add the pasta, red onion, sweet peppers, black olives, cherry tomatoes, and jalapeno to a large bowl.
  6. Pour 80% of the Jalapeno Lime Vinaigrette over the pasta. Fold gently until well combined. Reserve the other 20% of the vinaigrette.
  7. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to let the flavors meld.
  8. Before serving, add the remaining vinaigrette and stir. Serve topped with feta or cotija cheese.

Notes

  • To cut down on the heat, you can omit the diced jalapeno from the salad. You can also just use one jalapeno in the dressing as well to further reduce the heat.
  • *Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using an online nutrition calculator.

Nutrition Information

Calories 154kcal (8%) Carbohydrates 6g (2%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 11g Sodium 427mg (18%) Potassium 151mg (4%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 852IU (17%) Vitamin C 44mg (49%) Calcium 19mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 154

% Daily Value*

Calories 154kcal 8%
Carbohydrates 6g 2%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 11g 55%
Sodium 427mg 18%
Potassium 151mg 3%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 852IU 17%
Vitamin C 44mg 49%
Calcium 19mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.