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Fresh Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Zesty Lime Vinaigrette

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A fresh, easy, and vibrant pasta salad featuring cowboy caviar ingredients tossed in a zesty lime vinaigrette. Perfect for warm-weather meals, potlucks, and quick dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 g) rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed (or chickpeas as substitute)
  • 1 cup fresh corn (about 2 ears), cooked and cut off the cob (frozen corn thawed works too)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 1–2 limes)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, drain and rinse 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) of black beans. Cut 1 cup of cherry tomatoes in half and dice 1 medium red bell pepper. Finely chop ¼ cup red onion and ¼ cup fresh cilantro. If you prefer a milder onion flavor, soak the chopped red onion in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 minced garlic clove, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, black beans, corn (about 1 cup, cooked and fresh or thawed frozen), cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro. Pour the lime vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
  5. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. Before serving, give it a gentle stir and garnish with a little extra chopped cilantro or a wedge of lime for squeezing.

Notes

Do not overdress the salad to avoid sogginess; add vinaigrette gradually while tossing. Rinse pasta with cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping. Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes improves flavor melding. For a milder onion flavor, soak chopped red onion in cold water for 10 minutes before draining. Variations include adding diced avocado, substituting kale for cilantro, or adding protein like grilled chicken or shrimp. Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version and agave syrup instead of honey for vegan.

Nutrition

Keywords: cowboy caviar, pasta salad, lime vinaigrette, fresh salad, easy recipe, summer salad, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free adaptable

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/fresh-cowboy-caviar-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-lime-vinaigrette/