Mexican Fiesta Pasta Salad and Dressing

Bursting with vibrant flavors and vibrant colors, this Mexican Fiesta Pasta Salad and Dressing is the ultimate 30-minute meal for your next gathering or meal prep session. Featuring tender rotini pasta tossed with black beans, sweet corn, juicy cherry tomatoes, and creamy Monterey Jack cheese, this salad is a hearty yet refreshing dish. The homemade zesty lime dressing, infused with honey, cumin, and chili powder, ties each bite together with a perfect balance of tang, spice, and sweetness. Fresh avocado and cilantro take it to the next level, making it a fiesta for your taste buds! Quick to assemble and perfect served chilled, this salad is ideal for potlucks, picnics, or any weeknight dinner.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz rotini pasta
• 1 15-oz can black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1.5 cups frozen corn (thawed)
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 red bell pepper (diced)
• 0.5 red onion (diced)
• 0.5 cup cilantro (chopped)
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese (cubed)
• 1 avocado (diced)
• 3 tbsp lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 0.5 tsp chili powder
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Let it sit to drain completely.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine black beans, thawed corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, chopped cilantro, and cubed Monterey Jack cheese.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, honey, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.

Step 4

Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with vegetables and toss gently to combine.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables, stirring well to coat everything evenly.

Step 6

Gently fold in the diced avocado just before serving to prevent it from browning.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or lime juice if desired.

Step 8

Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours to let the flavors meld before serving. Garnish with extra cilantro, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2070.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3699.5

Total Fat 154.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 57.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 213.7mg	0%
Sodium 2850.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 447.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 65.6g	0%
Total Sugars 64.8g
Protein 147.6g	0%

Vitamin D 51.3IU	0%
Calcium 2131.3mg	0%
Iron 28.0mg	0%
Potassium 4680.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.9%

Protein: 15.6%

Carbs: 47.4%