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Chipotle pasta salad served with black beans, corn, and the cilantro as the garnish
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Chipotle Pasta Salad

Creamy Chipotle Pasta Salad with zesty chipotle dressing, made with black beans, corn, in under 20 mins! Perfect for BBQs, or quick dinners.
Course Salad
Cuisine Mexican-inspired
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 491kcal
Author Sujatha Muralidhar

Ingredients

  • 8 oz pasta (Rotini, penne, or elbow macaroni work great)
  • 1 cup canned black beans drained & rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • ½ cup red onion roughly chopped
  • ½ cup tomatoes roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup cilantro chopped

For the chipotle dressing:

  • ½ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for a lighter twist)
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (Adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice (fresh is best)
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Let it cool completely.
  • In a blender or food processor, combine mayo, chipotle peppers, lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  • Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust heat or salt as needed.
  • In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, black beans, corn, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, and cilantro.
  • Pour the dressing over and toss until everything’s nicely coated.
  • Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for the intense flavors.

Notes

  • Use any short pasta, such as rotini, penne, or macaroni, that holds creamy sauces well.
  • Swap black beans with chickpeas, pinto beans, or kidney beans if preferred.
  • Adjust the heat: use just adobo sauce for mild, or add jalapeños or crushed pepper for extra spice.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days; freezing is not recommended.
  • Make ahead by prepping pasta, veggies, and dressing separately, then combine before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 491kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 434mg | Potassium: 428mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1043IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 2mg