Go Back
–+ servings
overhead shot of a finished Southwest Pasta Salad recipe in a white serving bowl with a brown rim garnished with fresh cilantro

Southwest Pasta Salad Recipe

Healthy Southwest Pasta Salad recipe is a vegan and mayo free pasta salad. It makes a great side dish or enjoy it as a light main dish.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Calorie
Keyword: Healthy Side Dishes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 373kcal
Author: Sharon Lachendro

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Southwest Dressing

  • ⅓ cup fresh lime juice
  • ¼ cup Olive Oil
  • 3 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
  • ¾ teaspoon Cumin
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper

For the Pasta Salad

  • 16 oz. Bow Tie Pasta, or short pasta of choice
  • 1 can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups Cherry Tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup Red Onion, diced
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper, diced
  • 1 Avocado, diced
  • ½ cup Green Onions, sliced
  • ½ cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to the package directions in a large pot of salted water. Drain pasta and allow to cool.
    cooked bow tie pasta in a large glass bowl to make Healthy Southwest Pasta Salad recipe (Vegan)
  • Meanwhile, add all the dressing ingredients to a large mixing bowl and whisk until combined.
    Southwest dressing ingredients in a glass bowl with a whisk whisked together to make a Healthy Southwest Pasta Salad recipe (Vegan)
  • Add the cooled pasta and remaining salad ingredients to the bowl and toss until fully coated with the dressing.
  • Serve this immediately at room temperature or refrigerate and serve chilled. Serve with extra cilantro or toppings if desired.
    Healthy Southwest Pasta Salad recipe (Vegan) mixed together in a large glass bowl with a wood spoon

Notes

  1. Use gluten free pasta, protein pasta, or your pasta of choice.
  2. I'm not a big onion fan so I only use 1/2 cup. Feel free to add more if you love onions.
  3. See post for additional pasta salad mix-ins.
  4. Calories are approximate and will depend on the number of servings you make and ingredients used. The values listed here are with brown rice pasta.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servings | Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 373mg | Potassium: 461mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 899IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg