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Fresh Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad Recipe Easy for a Crowd to Make

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A fresh, colorful, and easy-to-make pasta salad featuring black beans, corn, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy dressing. Perfect for last-minute gatherings and crowd-pleasing events.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) bowtie pasta (farfalle) or elbow macaroni, cooked al dente
  • 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup (150 grams) corn kernels, fresh or frozen (thawed)
  • 1 cup (150 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup (15 grams) fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey or agave syrup
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 9–12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Let it drain completely (about 5 minutes).
  2. While the pasta cooks, rinse and drain one 15-ounce (425 grams) can of black beans. If using frozen corn, thaw about 1 cup (150 grams). Dice the red bell pepper, halve the cherry tomatoes, finely chop the red onion, and roughly chop 1/2 cup (15 grams) fresh cilantro. Set all aside.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil, 3 tablespoons (45 ml) fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt, and 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
  4. In a large bowl, add the drained pasta, black beans, corn, bell pepper, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over the top. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently toss everything together until well coated.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Before serving, give it a quick toss and adjust salt or lime juice if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and prevent mushiness. Finely chop onions to avoid overpowering bites. Adjust chili powder for desired heat. Resting the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes improves flavor melding. Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version. Honey can be swapped with maple syrup for a vegan sweetener.

Nutrition

Keywords: cowboy caviar, pasta salad, black beans, corn, easy recipe, crowd-pleaser, potluck, gluten-free option, vegan, dairy-free

Find it online: https://ariaappetite.com/fresh-cowboy-caviar-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-for-a-crowd-to-make/