Ingredients
Main Salad Ingredients
- 16 oz rotini pasta or any short noodle pasta
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (11 oz) corn, drained
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup full fat plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- Juice of 2 limes
Optional Ingredient
- ½ cup mayonnaise (optional – see note)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta using a strainer, rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking, then drain thoroughly.
- Prepare Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, combine the full fat plain Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, sugar, salt, and freshly squeezed juice from two limes. Whisk these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the drained pasta, black beans, corn, chopped spinach, and finely chopped cilantro to the bowl with the dressing. Stir gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Adjust Seasoning & Serve: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning as necessary, adding more salt, freshly ground black pepper, or lime juice to suit your preference. You can serve the pasta salad immediately or chill it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to meld flavors and serve cold.
Notes
- If you prefer a creamier dressing, you can add ½ cup of mayonnaise, but this is optional and will increase the fat content.
- Chilling the pasta salad before serving enhances the flavors and makes it a refreshing dish, especially in warm weather.
- This recipe keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; stir before serving.
- For extra crunch, consider adding diced red onion or chopped bell peppers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
