4.7 from 75 votes
Southwest Pasta Salad
Southwest Pasta Salad mixes cooked pasta with fresh vegetables like red onion, grape tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, and corn kernels, combined with black olives and fresh cilantro. A flavorful dressing made from olive oil, lime juice, honey, garlic, and spices coats the salad, balanced by creamy avocado and cotija cheese added just before serving. This salad is colorful and fresh with a tangy, slightly spicy dressing.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
10
Calories:
244 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
For the pasta salad:
- 8 oz pasta small
- 1 onion diced (about 1/2 cup, small; red variety
- 3 cups grape tomato halved
- 1 bell pepper seeds removed and chopped, yellow
- 1 corn kernels removed, ear, fresh
- 2.25 ounces black olives drained, sliced
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped, fresh
- 1 avocado pit removed and chopped, large
- 1/3 cup cotija cheese
For the dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil can use avocado oil
- 1/3 cup lime juice about 4 limes, fresh
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 garlic minced, large cloves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse well to cool.
- While the pasta is cooking, combine the onion, tomatoes, pepper, corn, and olives in a large mixing bowl.
- In a glass measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the oil, lime juice, honey, garlic, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Add the cooked pasta to the bowl with the vegetables, and pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Stir until all of the ingredients are well coated. Sprinkle cilantro over the pasta and stir again. Cover with a lid and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Add avocado and cheese right before serving and gently stir.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- This salad can be kept covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For a vegan version, omit the cotija cheese.
- To make gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.
Nutrition Information
Calories
244kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
23g
(8%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
15g
(23%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
4mg
(1%)
Sodium
301mg
(13%)
Potassium
308mg
(7%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
520IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
33.6mg
(37%)
Calcium
42mg
(4%)
Iron
0.7mg
(4%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 244
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 244kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 23g | 8% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 15g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 4mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 301mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 308mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 520IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 33.6mg | 37% |
| Calcium | 42mg | 4% |
| Iron | 0.7mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.