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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
  • 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
  • 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. 
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