Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad is a bold, refreshing dish made with rotini pasta, creamy chipotle-lime dressing, black beans, corn, fresh veggies, and avocado. Chilled to perfection, it’s a flavorful, Tex-Mex-inspired salad that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare. If you love the fresh & delicious flavor of this salad, be sure to try our Caprese Tortellini Salad.
Tips for Delicious Pasta Salad
Use the Right Pasta: Rotini is a top pick for this recipe thanks to its spiral shape, which holds onto the creamy chipotle-lime dressing. However, any short pasta you have on hand will work—penne and fusilli are great options. Be sure to cook your pasta al dente to avoid sogginess after chilling.
Fresh Ingredients Add the Crunch: Avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, and fresh cilantro give this salad its fresh bite and color. If you’re sensitive to spice, feel free to skip the jalapeño or substitute it with something milder like green or red bell peppers.
Pantry Staples Make It Easy: Canned black beans and corn bring heartiness and balance to the salad. Just make sure to rinse and drain the beans well.
Creamy Chipotle-Lime Dressing: The homemade dressing is a flavorful blend of mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, and chipotle powder. It ties all the components together with just the right amount of smoky heat.
Make It Ahead & Spice Level Tips
You can definitely make this salad ahead of time! Simply mix everything except the avocado, cover, and refrigerate. Add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning and keep the texture fresh. Letting the salad chill actually helps the flavors develop, making it even better the next day.
To adjust the spice level:
- Milder: Skip the jalapeño or use just a small amount.
- Spicier: Add extra jalapeño, a dash of cayenne, or a splash of hot sauce—a jalapeño hot sauce works perfectly for a flavor boost.
Customize Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad with Extra Veggies
This pasta salad is super versatile. Feel free to add more vegetables to match your preferences or use up what’s in your fridge. Some great additions include:
- Diced bell peppers (any color)
- Sliced cucumber
- Shredded carrots
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Sliced radishes for extra crunch
How to Store Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days. For best results, wait to add the avocado until just before serving to avoid browning or mushy texture. Give it a quick toss before serving to redistribute the dressing.
Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 medium ripe avocado, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and season generously with kosher salt. Bring it to a boil, then add the rotini pasta. Cook until al dente, following the timing on the package. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking. Let it drain well, then transfer it to a large mixing or serving bowl.
- Add the diced avocado, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, chopped cilantro, and jalapeño to the bowl with the pasta. Gently toss everything together until just combined, taking care not to break up the avocado too much.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, whole milk, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle powder, and kosher salt. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Use a large spoon or spatula to toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
- Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill and let the flavors meld.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro, serve.
This recipe is adapted from Iamhomesteader’s Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad.
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