Looking for a fresh twist on pasta salad this Labor Day? We got you!
Just in time for Labor Day, we’re bringing you our Cowgirl Pasta Salad! This salad is packed with hearty ingredients and bursting with bold flavors.
We love a good pasta salad recipe for many reasons, but especially because you can prep ahead! Simply cook, drain, and chill the pasta, prepare the ingredients, and whip up the dressing in advance. When it’s time to serve, toss everything together in a large bowl, and you have a delicious, crowd-pleasing salad ready to go.
Cowgirl Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz of your favorite short pasta cooked and chilled, we used tricolor rotini
For the vinaigrette
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more as needed
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 3 medium limes, juiced
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
For the pasta salad
- 1 15 oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 orange bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1½ cups fresh cooked or thawed frozen corn kernels
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- ½ cup chopped cilantro, loosely packed
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the box instructions. Be sure not to overcook the pasta. Once cooked, drain the pasta, drizzle a couple of teaspoons of olive oil over it, and stir to prevent it from sticking. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to make the pasta salad.
- While the pasta is cooking make the vinaigrette. In a small mixing bowl, add all the dried vinaigrette ingredients. Using a whisk, add the lime juice, followed by the olive oil. Set aside
- In a large mixing bowl, add the rinsed and drained beans, chopped jalapeno pepper, chopped orange bell pepper, corn kernels, halved grape tomatoes, diced onion, chopped cilantro, and cooked pasta.
- Whisk the dressing again and drizzle half the dressing over all the pasta salad ingredients. Toss to combine. Add more dressing as needed or reserve until serving.
- Taste and season with more kosher salt or black pepper as needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Looking for more Labor Day menu inspiration? Check out our Labor Day Favorites!
Enjoy!
Making this recipe? Be sure and share it with us on the WOT Instagram or on Facebook!
All photos by Lorianne DeVita
