Description
Cowboy Pasta Salad is a vibrant, nutritious dish that brings together the freshness of vegetables and protein-rich ingredients into one delightful bowl. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a quick lunch, this salad bursts with flavor and color. The homemade zesty dressing enhances the taste of juicy tomatoes, crunchy bell peppers, and hearty black beans. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, it’s an ideal choice for any occasion. Plus, it can be made in advance for convenient meal prep. Enjoy Cowboy Pasta Salad chilled or at room temperature—it’s sure to impress your family and friends!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 1 large bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 medium red onion, diced
- 1 cup canned corn kernels
- 1 cup canned black beans
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp. lime juice
- 1 tbsp. honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp. chipotle powder
- 1/2 tsp. cumin powder
- 1 tsp. sea salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Cook orzo according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a small jar, mix olive oil, lime juice, honey/maple syrup, chipotle powder, cumin powder, salt, and pepper. Shake well.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo with black beans, corn, bell peppers, tomato, red onion, and cilantro.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No cooking required after initial preparation
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg