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Fresh Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Zesty Southwest Ranch Twist

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A vibrant and zesty pasta salad combining fresh veggies, black beans, and a creamy Southwest Ranch dressing, perfect for potlucks, lunches, or BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz rotini pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 ½ cups fresh corn kernels (from about 2 ears) or frozen and thawed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 green onions, sliced thinly
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced (add just before serving)
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ⅓ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp lemon juice)
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp chipotle chili powder (adjust to heat preference)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  2. While pasta cooks, dice 1 red bell pepper, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, slice 3 green onions thinly, chop ¼ cup fresh cilantro, and prepare 1 ½ cups corn kernels. Drain and rinse one 15 oz can of black beans.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, ⅓ cup sour cream, ¼ cup buttermilk, and 2 tbsp fresh lime juice until smooth. Add 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp ground cumin, and ¼ tsp chipotle chili powder. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Whisk again until fully combined.
  4. In a large bowl, add cooled pasta, black beans, corn, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  5. Just before serving, gently fold in 1 diced ripe avocado to prevent browning. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the dressing meld with the ingredients. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent sticking and cool it quickly. Rinse black beans to remove canned taste. Whisk dressing well for smooth consistency. Add avocado just before serving to avoid browning. Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Store leftovers in airtight container up to 3 days. Dressing can be adjusted for spice level. Use gluten-free pasta and dairy-free substitutes for dietary needs.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, cowboy caviar, southwest ranch, black beans, corn, avocado, easy pasta salad, gluten-free pasta salad, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/fresh-cowboy-caviar-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-southwest-ranch-twist/