South of the Border Pasta Salad

Elevate your next picnic or potluck with this vibrant and flavor-packed South of the Border Pasta Salad! A zesty twist on a classic, this dish combines al dente penne pasta with a medley of fresh ingredients like juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, crunchy red bell pepper, and sweet corn, with black beans adding a hearty touch. The creamy cilantro-lime dressing—infused with bold spices like cumin and chili powder—ties everything together in a tangy, smoky symphony of flavors. Garnished with crumbled Cotija cheese and crispy tortilla chips for a delightful crunch, this chilled salad is the perfect make-ahead dish that brings Tex-Mex flair to your table. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleasing side or light main course that’s bursting with freshness and texture.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
• 1 cup Black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup Corn kernels (frozen, canned, or fresh)
• 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium Red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 large Avocado, diced
• 0.5 medium Red onion, finely diced
• 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
• 3 tbsp Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 0.5 cup Sour cream
• 0.25 cup Mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Ground cumin
• 1 tsp Chili powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 0.5 cup Cotija cheese (optional), crumbled
• 0.5 cup Tortilla chips (optional), crushed for garnish

Directions

Step 1

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, avocado, red onion, and cilantro.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, sour cream, mayonnaise, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 4

Add the cooked and cooled pasta to the large mixing bowl with the vegetables. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is well coated.

Step 5

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding a pinch of salt or more lime juice if desired.

Step 6

If using, sprinkle the crumbled Cotija cheese on top and garnish with crushed tortilla chips for added crunch.

Step 7

Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Serve chilled and enjoy your South of the Border Pasta Salad!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1946.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3079.1

Total Fat 185.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 56.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 223.2mg	0%
Sodium 4660.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 297.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 54.5g	0%
Total Sugars 41.8g
Protein 89.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1344.1mg	0%
Iron 15.7mg	0%
Potassium 3642.1mg	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: 51.8%

Protein: 11.1%

Carbs: 37.0%