Description
Discover the vibrant flavors of Cowboy Pasta Salad, a delightful dish that perfectly blends fresh vegetables and hearty black beans with tender orzo pasta. This colorful salad is drenched in a zesty lime dressing, making it a refreshing option for any occasion, whether it’s a summer barbecue, picnic, or potluck. Not only is it quick to prepare in just 25 minutes, but it’s also packed with protein and fiber, ensuring that you enjoy both taste and nutrition in every bite. Serve it as a main course or as a side to complement grilled meats. Best of all, this pasta salad holds up wonderfully for meal prep, letting you savor its deliciousness all week long.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 medium red onion, diced
- 1 cup canned corn kernels
- 1 cup canned black beans
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- Dressing: olive oil
- lime juice
- honey (or maple syrup)
- chipotle powder
- cumin powder
- sea salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Cook orzo according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a small jar, combine olive oil, lime juice, honey (or maple syrup), chipotle powder, cumin powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Shake well.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked orzo with black beans, corn kernels, diced bell peppers, diced tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. Toss gently.
- Pour dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg