Black Bean and Corn Pasta Salad Recipe
A vibrant and delicious Black Bean and Corn Pasta Salad featuring rotini pasta tossed with black beans, corn, fresh spinach, and cilantro, all coated in a creamy, tangy Greek yogurt dressing flavored with cumin, smoked paprika, garlic, and lime juice. Perfect as a refreshing side dish or light meal, served chilled or immediately.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Pasta and Vegetables
- 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
- 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
- 2 limes, juiced
- ½ cup mayonnaise (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta using a strainer and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine the full fat Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, sugar, salt, and fresh lime juice from two limes. Whisk together until smooth and well blended.
- Mix the Salad: Add the cooled pasta, drained black beans, corn, roughly chopped spinach, and finely chopped cilantro to the bowl with the dressing. Stir everything until the ingredients are evenly coated and well combined.
- Season and Serve: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, or lime juice as desired. You can serve the salad immediately or chill it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours to let the flavors meld together.
Notes
- Mayonnaise can be added to the dressing for extra creaminess if desired.
- Rinsing pasta helps prevent it from sticking and cools it for a cold pasta salad.
- This salad is great for meal prep and keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Feel free to substitute fresh vegetables or add chopped bell peppers or cherry tomatoes for extra color and flavor.
