Ingredients
– 8 ounces of whole wheat pasta (bow tie or elbow)
– 2 cups of corn (fresh, frozen and thawed, or canned)
– One 15-ounce can of reduced sodium black beans (drained and rinsed)
– 2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes
– 2 large avocados (peeled, pitted, and diced)
– 3 whole green onions (thinly sliced)
– One large jalapeno (cored, seeded, and diced)
– One-third cup of chopped cilantro
– Half a cup of crumbled feta cheese
– Three-quarters cup of nonfat plain Greek yogurt for the dressing
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil for the dressing
– Zest of 2 limes for the dressing
– 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice for the dressing
– 1 teaspoon of hot sauce for the dressing
– Half a teaspoon of salt for the dressing
– Half a teaspoon of chili powder for the dressing
– One-quarter teaspoon of smoked paprika for the dressing
Instructions
1-Getting this Mexican pasta salad just right is all about following a few easy steps that anyone can handle. Start by cooking 8 ounces of whole wheat pasta until it’s al dente, which means it’s firm but not hard, then rinse it with cool water and drain it well. This keeps the pasta from getting mushy and helps it hold up in the salad.
2-Next, in a large bowl, combine the pasta with 2 cups of corn, one 15-ounce can of reduced sodium black beans (drained and rinsed), 2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes, 2 large avocados (peeled, pitted, and diced), 3 whole green onions (thinly sliced), one large jalapeno (cored, seeded, and diced), and one-third cup of chopped cilantro. For the dressing, mix three-quarters cup of nonfat plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, zest of 2 limes, 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice, 1 teaspoon of hot sauce, half a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of chili powder, and one-quarter teaspoon of smoked paprika in a separate bowl.
3-Adjust the seasoning if needed to make sure it tastes just right. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture, toss everything together to coat it evenly, and sprinkle half a cup of crumbled feta cheese on top. Let it chill for 2 hours or serve it right away for the best flavors. This whole process takes about 30 minutes, making it a go-to for quick meals.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
๐ฅ Prepare the dressing and cook pasta up to a day prior to save time – just keep them separate until ready to serve
๐ฝ Add diced avocado just before serving to prevent browning, or toss with lime juice to maintain freshness
๐ฅ For extra protein, add cooked shrimp, beef, chicken, or plant-based chipotle sausages to make it a complete meal
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chilling Time: 2 hours (optional)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 309
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 6mg
