Mexican Pasta Salad
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Ever caught yourself mulling over what dish would steal the show at a potluck? Or make a delicious side dish for a Mexican main or a tasty lunch? Enter: Mexican pasta salad! It's got everything ā creamy avocados, sweet corn, hearty black beans, crunchy green peppers, red onions, and tender pastaāall drenched in a dreamy chipotle lime dressing!
Keep the inspired pasta salads going, with this delicious Greek pasta salad recipe, or this pasta salad with Italian dressing.
This Mexican pasta salad is the perfect mix of contrasting flavors and textures, making it interesting with every bite. The dressing is perfect ā it might seem a tad salty on its own, but once it melds with the pasta and veggies, it balances out, adding a fiesta of flavor. With crisp vegetables, hearty black beans, and the creamy kick of chipotle lime dressing, it's a crowd-pleasing dish!
Ingredients notes
This Mexican street corn pasta salad is bursting with vibrant flavors, inspired by Mexico! Fresh veggies mix with pasta, then it's tossed in an irresistible dressing! Gather these items:
- Pasta:Ā Use a short pasta, like fusilli. You can also use your favorite gluten-free pasta ā we like chickpea pasta.
- Other ingredients: Add bursts of flavor with sweet corn, juicy cherry tomatoes, hearty black beans, zesty red onion, fragrant cilantro, crisp green pepper, and creamy avocado.
- Chipotle lime dressing: Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, avocado oil, adobo sauce, oregano, sea salt, black pepper, and garlic clove come together to make a creamy dressing with a touch of smoky heat and a tang of lime. It's delicious!
How to make Mexican pasta salad?
Pasta salads are known for their simplicity ā you just boil some pasta and toss it with veggies, easy! This Mexican corn pasta salad follows suit as a fuss-free dish that's simple to make, yet big on flavor! This is how you whip it up:
- Cook pasta: Boil up your pasta until al dente!
- Shake dressing: Add all the chipotle lime dressing sauce ingredients to a jar, and shake to mix!
- Assemble: Get a large bowl and add the pasta and all the veggies. Drizzle the dressing over top, stir it all together, and go impress your friends!
Creamy chipotle lime dressing
A pasta salad is only as good as what it's tossed in, and this Mexican pasta salad recipe is taken to the next level with a flavor-packed chipotle lime dressing: it's zingy, smoky, creamy, herby, and all-round delicious.
This dressing is made with freshly squeezed lime juice, chipotle sauce, garlic, a little oregano, and thick Greek yogurt. To make this a vegan pasta salad, simply use your favorite vegan yogurt or vegan mayo in place of the Greek yogurt.
One thing to note is that if you try this dressing before pouring it over the pasta salad, it'll taste too salty ā but we promise it'll work! The reason why is that the dressing needs to be salty enough to season all of the pasta and veggies you throw in. Once you pour it on and toss it around, you'll find that it's perfectly balanced.
Variations
This Mexican pasta salad is not just delicious; it's also incredibly versatile. Whether you're looking to clear out your fridge or bulk up the meal with some extra protein, this recipe has you covered. Here's how you can get creative:
- Add a protein: Bulk out your pasta salad by making some protein. Add bite sized pieces of your favorite protein. Add Mexican chicken, chili lime shrimp, chimichurri steak bites, tofu, or bacon.
- Other veggies: Add some roasted red bell pepper or diced cucumber for extra freshness. Roasted sweet potato cubes add a hearty sweetness.
- Pasta: Mix up the type of pasta ā use penne, farfelle, bowtie, elbow macaroni, or gemelli. Swap it out for your favorite gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Sliced olives: Briny black olives provide a contrasting depth of flavor.
- Fresh herbs:Ā Throw in some additional herbs to keep it really fresh, like parsley.
- Spicy: Play with the spice level by using more or less jalapeƱo, or by adjusting the amount of adobo in the dressing. You can also throw in a sprinkle of chili flakes if you like extra spice.
- Dressing: Swap out the dressing for another dressing of your preference. Cilantro lime ranch tastes great on pasta salad!
- Corn chips: Crumbled corn chips or tortilla strips can add a satisfying crunch and a hint of corn flavor to each bite.
- Cheese: Add cubed pepper jack, monterrey, or a sharp cheddar.
Watch the Mexican Pasta Salad video
What to serve with Mexican pasta salad
Whether you're planning a picnic in the park, hosting a lively potluck, or craving a burst of flavor as a standalone meal, this Mexican pasta salad will bring the flavor! Serve it alone or with a protein, like chili lime shrimp, chimichurri steak bites, or marinated Mexican chicken. If you're having a fiesta, make it a table spread with some corn salsa, easy guacamole, or a Mexican cucumber salad.
It works beside any Mexican inspired mains like grilled steak tacos, green chicken enchiladas, or sweet potato nachos.
Recipe FAQs
How do I make this Mexican pasta salad dairy-free, gluten-free, or vegan?
To make it gluten-free, use your favorite gluten-free pasta ā we suggest chickpea pasta! The texture of gluten-free pasta tends to be softer than that of regular pasta, so cook it for a little bit less time than the packaging suggests so it maintains some texture.
To make it dairy-free or vegan, use a vegan yogurt or vegan mayo.
Can I make Mexican pasta salad ahead of time?
You can easily make this ahead of time. Prepare the pasta, chop the vegetables, and make the dressing ahead of time. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator and assemble the salad just before serving for the best taste and texture, giving the dressing another shake before pouring it over the salad.
Can I adjust the level of spiciness?
Yes. Adjust the amount of adobo sauce in the dressing to your preferred level of heat, starting with a small amount and gradually adding more to taste. You can also add more or less jalapeƱo.
How do I store leftover Mexican pasta salad?
Store your leftover Mexican pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. The avocado may brown over time, so it's best to consume the salad within the first day or two, or store it without the avocado, adding it in fresh each time.
Where do I find adobo sauce?
If you buy a jar or can of chipotle peppers, the adobo sauce is what the peppers are submerged in! In a supermarket, you'll often find these in the aisle alongside other Mexican foods.
More pasta salad recipes
Mexican Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Mexican Pasta Salad
- 8 ounces dried pasta
- 2 cups frozen corn (thawed)
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 15 ounce can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
- Ā¼ cup minced red onion
- Ā¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 green pepper (minced)
- 1 avocado (diced)
- 1 jalapeƱo (finely minced)
Chipotle Lime Dressing
- Ā¾ cup greek yogurt (see notes)
- Ā½ cup lime juice (fresh is best)
- Ā¼ cup avocado oil (or another neutral-flavored oil)
- 3 tablespoons adobo sauce (the sauce that comes in jars of chipotle peppers)
- 1 teaspoon EACH: oregano and sea salt
- Ā½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 clove garlic (finely minced)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta to the pot and cook according to the package directions, until the pasta is al dente. Drain and set aside.8 ounces dried pasta
- While the pasta is cooking, add all the chipotle lime dressing ingredients to a 2-cup mason jar and shake to mix.Ā¾ cup greek yogurt, Ā½ cup lime juice, Ā¼ cup avocado oil, 3 tablespoons adobo sauce, 1 teaspoon EACH: oregano and sea salt, Ā½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 clove garlic
- Place the cooked pasta, corn, cherry tomatoes, black beans, red onion, cilantro, green pepper, avocado, and jalapeƱo in a large salad bowl. Pour the dressing over the top and toss to mix everything together.2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 15 ounce can of black beans, Ā¼ cup minced red onion, Ā¼ cup chopped cilantro, 1 green pepper, 1 avocado, 1 jalapeƱo, 2 cups frozen corn
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our Mexican and Southwest-inspired recipes!
I have no words Kristen! No words!! Just stupidly drooling over my keyboard right now!
Then my job here is done! Enjoy!!
Lovely recipe. How much cilantro please?
Thank you for pointing that out! It’s 1/4 cup. I’ve updated the recipe. š
I just made this, and I”m not sure it will last for 4-6 servings… It’s DELICIOUS!!! Thanks for sharing this gem!
OH and our local IGA carries it!! Thanks for checking for me though!
That’s so great to hear! Yaaa!
You are so welcome!!
Sounds amazing Kristen! Can you get the chickpea pasta in Vancouver, or do you order it online? Gotta try it!
You totally have to try it! I buy mine at Nesters Market on Abbott Street in Gastown. I did a quick search for you but I don’t see any stores that carry them on the Sunshine Coast. Here’s a link to their store locator: https://www.choosechickapea.com/ca/where-to-buy/
Both Amazon and well.ca are both great places to buy it online!
Oh goodness. My belly is growling HARD over here. I am so in love with all of these ingredients! Everything is so freshāand that dressing is *everything*. I love when you can indulge in a creamy dressing yet not feel guilty about it. Greek yogurt is magical. Beauty recipe!
Awww thank you so much! Healthy recipes are my favorite, but they have to feel indulgent, too. IMO. So with you about Greek yogurt. I love it!!
You totally killed it with this one Kristen! I’ve got a box of chickapea pasta sitting in my cupboard ready to go and this looks like the perfect thing!
You should totally make this recipe with it! I promise you won’t be disappointed!!
I am ALL about chipotle flavored anything, and this is no exception!
Right? There’s no such thing as too much chipotle in my books!
This looks so creamy and delicious, Kristen! Definitely on our must make summer menu!
It’s been on repeat here all summer!!
This pasta salad is right up my alley Kristen! I love Mexican flavors and Chickapea Pasta is so healthy that I love serving it to my family. I’ll definitely be making this!
Mexican flavors are my fav! And I love that you love Chickapea Pasta, too. It’s also our family’s fav!!
Wow! Just wow! This sounds and looks absolutely amazing! I to am not a huge pasta salad fan, but this I must try!! ??
I’m not either but this one won me over!!
This looks so yummy! Chickapea pasta makes it that much more filling! Love the flavors you’ve got going here, Kristen! Sharing!
I love using Chickapea Pasta for the big boost of protein it gives every recipe. And it just tastes great!
This looks fantastic, Kristen! I love the mix of veggies in here and the use of protein packed Chickapea pasta to bring them all together!
Thank you so much!!!
This Chipotle dressing is seriously incredible! Can’t wait to make this healthy salad, loaded with my favorite Chickapea pasta! YUMMY!
I’m so happy to hear you like Chickapea Pasta, too! It’s our fav!!
I love this creamy and healthy recipe, especially that you can make it vegan!
So nice to have options, isn’t it?!!
Everything I love in a summer meal! I also am not really a pasta salad fan — but put Chickapea and all of these other amazing things in the mix, and I am totally in! On the meal plan this week.
I’m not usually either! I loved using Chickapea in this recipe because it turned a usually unhealthy dish into a totally healthy one!
Oh wow, Kristen, this healthy pasta salad has got everything I love in a great dish. I’m a texture person and i need both creamy and crunchy – fantastic! These flavors!
The contrasting flavors is what I really love about this recipe. There’s so much going on here!