Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad
Creamy pasta salad loaded with black beans, corn, avocado, and fresh vegetables, all tossed in smoky chipotle-lime dressing that's perfect for summer gatherings and potlucks.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 ripe avocado peeled and diced
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes quartered
- ¼ cup red onion finely diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper seeded and finely diced
For the Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add rotini pasta and cook al dente according to package directions, then drain and rinse with cold water until completely cooled.
- Prepare Vegetables: While pasta cooks, dice avocado, quarter cherry tomatoes, finely dice red onion, chop cilantro, and seed and dice jalapeño pepper for uniform bite-sized pieces throughout salad.
- Combine Salad: Transfer cooled pasta to a large bowl, then gently fold in avocado, black beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño until evenly distributed without mashing delicate avocado pieces.
- Make Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle powder, and salt until a smooth and creamy consistency forms.
- Dress and Chill: Pour creamy dressing over pasta mixture, toss gently until everything is evenly coated, then cover and refrigerate for at least thirty minutes before serving.
- Serve: Before serving, garnish with additional chopped cilantro for fresh color and flavor, then serve chilled as a perfect side dish for summer gatherings and potlucks.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente so it maintains texture and doesn't become mushy when mixed with creamy dressing and chilled overnight.
- Add avocado right before serving when making ahead to prevent browning and maintain a fresh appearance and creamy texture throughout.
- Adjust spice level by using more or less jalapeño and chipotle powder according to your family's heat preference and tolerance.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to three days, adding a splash of milk if dressing seems thick after chilling.
- Try different pasta shapes like penne or shells if rotini isn't available - any short pasta with ridges works perfectly.