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- 2 cups whole wheat pasta (fusilli or rotini) - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup cucumber, diced - 1/2 red bell pepper, diced - 1/4 red onion, finely chopped - 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen) - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped - 3 tablespoons olive oil - 2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed) - 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup - Salt and pepper to taste - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional for a kick) - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled You can change some ingredients to fit your taste. Use any pasta you like, such as penne or spaghetti. If you want more crunch, add bell peppers or radishes. Feel free to swap black beans for kidney beans or chickpeas. If you do not have fresh lime juice, bottled juice works too, but fresh gives the best taste. You can replace honey with maple syrup for a vegan option. For a creamy twist, add some avocado. These substitutes make the recipe your own while keeping it fresh and tasty. Enjoy experimenting! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, boil water in a large pot. Add two cups of whole wheat pasta. I like fusilli or rotini for this salad. Cook according to the package instructions until it is al dente. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. Once done, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water. This helps cool the pasta quickly. Set it aside while you prepare the other ingredients. Grab a large mixing bowl. In this bowl, add one cup of halved cherry tomatoes and one cup of diced cucumber. Next, chop half of a red bell pepper into small pieces and add it too. Then, finely chop a quarter of a red onion. Toss in half a cup of corn kernels, either fresh or frozen. Finally, rinse and drain one cup of canned black beans before adding them. Don’t forget to add a quarter cup of freshly chopped cilantro. This mix gives the salad a great crunch and flavor! In a separate small bowl, whisk together three tablespoons of olive oil and two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice. Add one teaspoon of honey or agave syrup for a touch of sweetness. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If you like a little kick, add half a teaspoon of chili powder. Whisk until it is well combined. This dressing ties the salad together beautifully. Now, take the cooled pasta and add it to the bowl of veggies and beans. Pour the dressing over the top. Gently toss everything together. You want to coat the pasta and vegetables with the dressing evenly. If you like, you can sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top for extra flavor. Let the salad sit for at least 15 minutes before serving. This helps all the flavors blend together nicely. Enjoy your fresh and flavorful cilantro lime pasta salad! For a great dressing, use fresh lime juice. It gives a bright and zesty taste. Combine olive oil, lime juice, and honey or agave in a bowl. Whisk them well until blended. This mix adds richness and tang. Adjust salt and pepper to your liking. If you want a bit of spice, add chili powder. This adds a nice kick without being too hot. Cilantro is key in this salad. Its fresh taste lifts the entire dish. You can also try adding parsley or green onions for extra flavor. Chop the herbs finely. This helps distribute their taste throughout the salad. Don’t skip this step; fresh herbs make a big difference. Serve your salad in a clear bowl. This shows off the bright colors of the ingredients. Garnish with extra cilantro and lime wedges. This not only looks nice but also adds more flavor. Consider pairing this salad with grilled chicken or shrimp for protein. It also works well with tortilla chips or crusty bread. Enjoy it as a side dish or a light main meal. Pro Tips Cook Pasta Perfectly: Make sure to cook the pasta al dente for the best texture. This will help it hold up against the other ingredients in the salad. Cool Pasta Quickly: Rinsing the pasta under cold water not only cools it down but also prevents it from becoming sticky. This keeps the salad light and fresh. Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to add or swap in your favorite vegetables. Bell peppers, zucchini, or even avocado can bring unique flavors to the salad. Let It Marinate: Allowing the salad to sit for at least 15 minutes before serving lets the flavors meld together, creating a more delicious dish. {{image_2}} You can easily make this salad vegan. Just skip the feta cheese. Use more veggies for a nice crunch. You can add diced avocado for creaminess. Chickpeas are a great protein option too. They add a nice texture and flavor. For a gluten-free version, swap whole wheat pasta for gluten-free pasta. Quinoa is also a great choice. It gives a nutty taste and is full of protein. Always check labels to ensure your pasta is certified gluten-free. Want to make your salad unique? Here are some fun add-ins: - Olives: Add green or black olives for a briny kick. - Spinach or Kale: Mix in some greens for extra vitamins. - Jalapeños: For heat, add fresh jalapeños or pickled ones. - Nuts or Seeds: Sprinkle sunflower seeds or chopped nuts for crunch. Feel free to mix and match. Get creative and make it your own! To keep your cilantro lime pasta salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. Place it in the fridge. This will help maintain its flavor and texture. Make sure to eat the salad within three to four days. The longer it sits, the softer the veggies will get. I do not recommend freezing this salad. Freezing can change the texture of the pasta and veggies. The fresh taste will not be the same once thawed. If you must freeze, try freezing the dressing separately. You can then mix it with fresh pasta and veggies later. If you want to enjoy leftovers, here’s how to reheat them. First, remove the salad from the fridge. Let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This helps it warm up a bit. If you need to heat it further, use the microwave. Place a portion in a bowl and heat for 20-30 seconds. Stir and check the temperature. Be careful not to overheat. This can make the pasta mushy. Yes, you can use many pasta types. Fusilli and rotini work well. You can try penne or farfalle too. Just pick a shape you like. The cooking time may change, so check the package. This salad can last for about three days in the fridge. Keep it in a sealed container. The flavors will mix and deepen over time. However, fresh veggies may lose some crunch. You can add grilled chicken or shrimp for protein. Chopped avocado gives a creamy texture. You can also try adding more beans or quinoa for extra fiber. Mix in some nuts for a crunchy bite if you want! This blog post covered key ingredients for a pasta salad, along with cooking steps. I shared tips to perfect your dressing and enhance flavors. You learned about variations, storage tips, and common questions. Remember, you can mix ingredients and flavors to fit your taste. Use this guide to create a fun and tasty pasta salad! Happy cooking!

Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad

A refreshing pasta salad with vibrant flavors of cilantro and lime, perfect for a light meal or side dish.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups whole wheat pasta (fusilli or rotini)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 half red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 quarter red onion, finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 0.25 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon chili powder (optional for a kick)

Instructions
 

  • Begin by cooking the whole wheat pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool down the pasta; set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, corn kernels, black beans, and chopped cilantro.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, honey or agave syrup, salt, pepper, and chili powder (if using) to create the dressing.
  • Once the pasta has cooled, add it to the bowl of vegetables and beans. Pour the dressing over the salad.
  • Gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are well coated with the dressing. If desired, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top.
  • Allow the salad to sit for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors meld before serving.

Notes

Serve in a large clear bowl to showcase the colorful ingredients. Garnish with extra cilantro leaves and lime wedges on the side for added zest.
Keyword cilantro, healthy, lime, pasta salad, vegetarian