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A vibrant and creamy Tex-Mex pasta salad loaded with corn, black beans, and colorful peppers, all tossed in a zesty, homemade dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light summer meal.
For 6 servings
Cook the pasta in a large pot of generously salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta immediately and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to halt the cooking process and cool it down. Shake off excess water and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh lime juice, and taco seasoning until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to your liking.
To the large bowl with the cooled pasta, add the rinsed and drained black beans, drained corn, diced red bell pepper, diced red onion, minced jalapeño (if using), and freshly chopped cilantro.
Pour the prepared creamy dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Use a large spoon or spatula to gently toss everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated.
For the best flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together. For optimal results, chill for 1-2 hours before serving.
Just before serving, gently fold in the diced avocado (if using) to prevent it from browning. Give the salad a final stir, taste, and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lime juice if needed. Serve chilled.
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A vibrant and creamy Tex-Mex pasta salad loaded with corn, black beans, and colorful peppers, all tossed in a zesty, homemade dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light summer meal.
This tex_mex recipe takes 30 minutes to prepare and yields 6 servings. At 1052.55 calories per serving with 43.11g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for lunch or dinner or side.
Add 1.5 cups of cooked, shredded chicken, grilled shrimp, or crumbled cotija cheese for a more substantial meal.
Substitute the mayonnaise with a vegan mayo and the sour cream with a plant-based sour cream or unsweetened coconut yogurt.
For a lighter dressing, skip the mayo and sour cream. Whisk together 1/3 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1 tbsp taco seasoning, and 1 tsp agave or honey.
Feel free to add other vegetables like diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes (halved), or chopped green onions.
The black beans, corn, and vegetables in this salad provide a significant amount of dietary fiber, which is essential for digestive health, blood sugar regulation, and promoting a feeling of fullness.
Black beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein, which helps in muscle repair and maintenance, making this salad a satisfying and nutritious option.
Colorful ingredients like red bell pepper, red onion, and cilantro are packed with vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants that help protect your body from cellular damage.
A 1.5 cup serving of this Tex-Mex Pasta Salad contains approximately 450-500 calories, depending on the specific brands of mayonnaise and sour cream used. Adding avocado will increase the calorie count slightly.
This pasta salad can be part of a balanced diet. It's packed with fiber from beans and vegetables, and provides plant-based protein. The dressing is creamy, so for a lighter version, you can use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream or try the vinaigrette variation.
Yes, this salad is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance. For best results, store the dressing separately and toss everything together a few hours before serving. Always add the avocado just before you serve it.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Note that the pasta may absorb more dressing over time, and if you've added avocado, it may brown slightly.
Absolutely. Simply substitute the rotini pasta with your favorite gluten-free short pasta. Cook according to the package directions, and be sure to rinse it well as gluten-free pastas can sometimes be starchier.
Any short pasta with ridges or twists is great for catching the dressing. Besides rotini, you can use fusilli, penne, farfalle (bow-tie), or cavatappi.