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Fresh Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad with Zesty Vinaigrette

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A quick and easy pasta salad combining cowboy caviar ingredients with a zesty vinaigrette, perfect for casual gatherings and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen and thawed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • ½ small red onion, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
  • ¼ cup olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey or agave
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, rinse and drain black beans. If using frozen corn, thaw about 1 cup. Chop cherry tomatoes in half, dice red bell pepper, finely chop red onion, mince jalapeño (optional), and chop fresh cilantro.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lime juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust acidity or sweetness if needed.
  4. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro. Pour the vinaigrette over the top.
  5. Gently toss everything together until well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. The salad tastes better after a few hours or overnight.
  6. Before serving, give the salad a quick toss and adjust salt or lime juice if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Avoid overdressing the salad initially; you can add more vinaigrette later. Chilling the salad for a few hours enhances the flavor. For gluten-free, use chickpea or brown rice pasta. Jalapeño is optional and can be adjusted for heat preference.

Nutrition

Keywords: cowboy caviar, pasta salad, zesty vinaigrette, black beans, corn, easy recipe, gluten-free option, vegan, summer salad

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/fresh-cowboy-caviar-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-vinaigrette-guide/