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Taco Pasta Salad with Beans
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Taco Pasta Salad

This lightened up vegetarian taco pasta salad is made with beans instead of beef and packs in tons of superfoods from avocado and tomatoes to a fresh cilantro dressing. 
Course Dinner, Lunch, Pasta, Salads, Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword avocado, bell pepper, cilantro, corn, Mexican, pasta salad, tomatoes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dry fusilli or other spiral pasta
  • 1 can black beans drained
  • 1 can mixed beans (pinto, black, kidney) drained
  • 1 green pepper diced
  • 1 corn on the cob kernels cut off
  • 1 glove of garlic
  • 1 tbsp taco seasoning
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • Lots of fresh cilantro for garnish
  • 1 avocado diced for garnish
  • Salt and pepper
  • Optional: tortilla chips

For the dressing

  • ½ cup whole milk Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 limes juiced

Instructions

  • Prep: Wash and dry fresh produce. Chop pepper and tomatoes. Drain the beans. Peel garlic. Chop cilantro. Juice the limes. Cut corn off the cob.
  • Cook pasta according to package, drain, and return to pot.
  • Add a drizzle of olive oil to a pan and add minced garlic. Cook until browned.
  • Add beans, green pepper, corn, and taco seasoning. Stir to mix and season with salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes, until peppers are soft.
  • Pour bean mixture into the pasta pot, stir and mix. Allow to cool.
  • Meanwhile make the dressing: Add yogurt through lime juice to a food processor and run until well combined. Season with the remaining ½ teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper.
  • Pour dressing and tomatoes into pot and mix to combine.
  • Garnish with cilantro and diced avocado. And optional crushed lime tortilla chips!