Southwest Corn Pasta Salad Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Southwest Corn Salad featuring tricolor pasta, black beans, corn, fresh vegetables, and a zesty chili-spiced dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish for barbecues, picnics, or a light lunch.
- Author: mia
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Southwestern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Pasta and Vegetables
- 3 cups cooked tricolor spiral pasta
- 1 can (15-1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
- 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles
Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooked tricolor pasta, drained corn, rinsed black beans, chopped tomato, chopped onion, chopped green pepper, and chopped green chiles until evenly distributed.
- Prepare Dressing: In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, add olive oil, cider vinegar, sugar, chili powder, salt, and ground cumin. Secure the lid and shake well until the dressing is thoroughly combined and slightly emulsified.
- Toss Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure every component is coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill before serving.
Notes
- For best texture, ensure pasta is cooked al dente and well drained before mixing.
- Adjust chili powder according to your preferred spice level.
- This salad can be made up to a day ahead and kept refrigerated.
- Serve chilled for a refreshing taste, perfect for warm weather meals.
- Try adding chopped fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime juice for extra zest.
Keywords: Southwest Corn Salad, pasta salad, black beans, corn salad, southwestern recipe, cold salad, chili powder dressing