Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad Recipe
A refreshing and vibrant Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad featuring bowtie pasta mixed with crisp vegetables and a creamy cilantro lime dressing, perfect for summer gatherings or a light lunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 1 lb bowtie pasta
- 1 (341-ml) can corn, drained and rinsed
- 1 red bell pepper, diced small
- ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes
- ½ red onion, diced small
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup loosely packed cilantro, finely chopped
Dressing
- ½ cup loosely packed cilantro
- ¼ cup lime juice (about 3–4 limes)
- Zest of 1 lime
- 1 ripe avocado
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp Greek yogurt
- 2–3 Tbsp water
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the bowtie pasta according to the package directions in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool it down and stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- Make the dressing: While the pasta is cooking, combine the cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, ripe avocado, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth; add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water as needed to thin the dressing enough to pour easily.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooked and cooled pasta with the drained corn, diced red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, crumbled feta, and finely chopped cilantro.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the cilantro lime dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Chill before serving: For the best flavor, cover the pasta salad and chill it in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute gluten-free pasta.
- The dressing can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
- Adjust the amount of lime juice to taste for more tanginess if desired.
- Make sure to rinse the cooked pasta with cold water to cool quickly and prevent it from sticking.
- This salad is best served chilled and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Keywords: cilantro lime pasta salad, pasta salad, summer salad, avocado dressing, bowtie pasta, cilantro dressing
Find it online: https://thehungrymason.com/cilantro-lime-pasta-salad-recipe/
