Easy Taco Pasta Salad (Printer view)

A colorful pasta salad with black beans, corn, avocado, and cheddar, tossed in a tangy lime dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
04 - 1 cup canned corn, drained
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
07 - 1 avocado, diced
08 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Cheese

09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Dressing

10 - 1/2 cup sour cream
11 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
13 - 1 packet taco seasoning (1 oz)
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

16 - 1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips
17 - Extra cilantro for serving

# Directions:

01 - Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water, and set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, avocado, cilantro, and shredded cheddar cheese.
03 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, lime juice, taco seasoning, salt, and black pepper until smooth and fully combined.
04 - Add cooled pasta to the vegetable and cheese mixture. Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the salad to reach optimal temperature.
06 - Just before serving, top with crushed tortilla chips and additional fresh cilantro if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The dressing tastes like a taco you can pour, making every bite feel indulgent without the heaviness.
  • You can make it hours ahead, which means less stress and more time enjoying the party.
  • It converts even the pickiest eaters because it's familiar comfort with a little Tex-Mex flair.
02 -
  • Add the avocado at the last possible moment—even 30 minutes in the dressing turns it brown and watery, which nobody wants.
  • If you're making this the day before, hold back the tortilla chips and cilantro garnish until serving time, or they'll be a soggy disappointment.
03 -
  • Taste the dressing before you add it to the salad—that's your only chance to adjust the seasoning without having to remix everything.
  • Pat your corn and beans completely dry after rinsing; extra moisture makes the salad watery and dilutes the dressing's flavor.
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