Description
This refreshing Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that’s perfect for summer gatherings or as a light meal. The zesty lime dressing paired with fresh vegetables and herbs creates a satisfying and colorful pasta salad that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad:
- 8 oz short pasta such as bow tie or penne
- 1 1/2 cups corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned and drained)
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/2 small red onion diced
- 1 avocado diced (optional)
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Lime Dressing:
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
- Prepare Dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine Greek yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, salt, and cayenne pepper; blend until smooth.
- Assemble Salad: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, corn, tomatoes, red onion, and avocado if using. Pour dressing over salad and toss until evenly coated.
- Chill: Chill for 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
- Add cotija cheese, black beans, or grilled chicken for extra protein.
- To mellow the onion flavor, soak diced onion in cold water for 10 minutes before adding.
- For meal prep, store dressing separately and add avocado just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 346
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 213 mg
- Fat: 2.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 68 g
- Fiber: 4.1 g
- Protein: 13.2 g
- Cholesterol: 2 mg
