Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad is al dente pasta combined with avocado, black beans, corn, and fresh vegetables, tossed in a creamy homemade chipotle-lime dressing. Once chilled, all of the Tex-Mex flavors blend together deliciously, making it both refreshing and filling! For another crowd-pleasing option, check out my Taco Pasta Salad—packed with all the savory flavors of a taco in pasta form!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Pasta: I love rotini pasta for this salad. Its spiral shape is perfect for holding onto all of that delicious dressing! Of course, the pasta you have on hand would work well, too. Or, get creative and make homemade shaped pasta to use! Cook the pasta al dente for the best results.
- Fresh Ingredients: I added avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh cilantro, and jalapeno pepper to the salad. Have a little extra cilantro for garnish, too! If you want a milder flavor, leave out the jalapeno.
- Canned Ingredients: Besides the fresh ingredients, I added a can of black beans and a can of corn kernels to the mix. Be sure to rinse and drain the black beans before adding them to the salad.
- Chipotle-Lime Dressing: The dressing is a creamy blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, and milk, balanced with lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and a smoky kick of chipotle powder. It coats the salad for a tasty flavor in each bite.
Can I Make Chipotle Lime Salad Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can make the salad ahead of time. Mix all of the ingredients except the avocado. (You don’t want it turning brown.) Cover the salad and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. When ready, add the avocado, garnish with more cilantro (if adding), and dig in! I like making a salad like this ahead of time because it brings out the Tex-Mex-inspired flavors even more!
How To Adjust Spice Level In Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad
To adjust the spice level of your Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad, you can make it milder or spicier based on your taste. For a milder version, skip the jalapeño or use a mild pepper. If you want it spicier, add more jalapeño, or mix in a little cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the dressing. Try adding a little bit of my jalapeno hot sauce to really turn up the heat!
Can I Add More Vegetables To This Pasta Salad?
Absolutely! You can add a variety of vegetables to this salad based on your taste! Some great options are:
- Diced bell peppers (any color)
- Cucumber (sliced or diced)
- Shredded carrots
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Sliced radishes (I like the crunch they give the salad.)
How To Store Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad
To store Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days. If possible, add the avocado just before serving to keep it from getting mushy or browning.
Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
- 1 cup (149 g) cherry tomatoes, quartered
- ¼ cup (40 g) red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1 medium jalapeño, seeded, finely diced
Dressing
- ½ cup (116 g) mayonnaise
- ½ cup (115 g) sour cream
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook al dente according to the package directions. Drain the pasta, rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process, and let it drain again thoroughly. Transfer the cooled pasta to a large pasta bowl.
- To the pasta, add the avocado, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. Toss gently to combine, being careful not to mash the avocado.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle powder, and salt until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad. Toss until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
- Before serving, garnish with more chopped cilantro.
Video
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
I love this, especially the crunch of vegetables and hint of lime. I think it would be great in the summertime, for sure!
Elizabeth
I love pasta salads, and this one was super flavorful! I think I would like the dressing on a lettuce salad, too!
Annabelle
This is a quick, easy, and delicious combination of flavors and textures.
Stephanie
This salad is so fresh! I love the dressing!
Bella
This pasta salad is delicious and filling. I would add a few more jalapeno peppers to the mix for a little more of a kick.
