The Best Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad
This Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad is loaded with rotini pasta, black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, avocado, peppers, and a zesty homemade dressing for the ultimate summer side dish. Perfect for BBQs, cookouts, potlucks, and easy make-ahead meals.
- Prep Time: 20 MINS
- Cook Time: 10 MINS
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 SERVINGS 1x
- Category: Side Dish, SIDE DISH | PASTA SALAD
- Cuisine: AMERICAN | BBQ, TEX MEX INSPIRED
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- 1 ½ cups corn
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeño, finely diced
- ½ red onion, diced
- 1 avocado, diced
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Dressing
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, honey, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine the pasta, black beans, black-eyed peas, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, jalapeño, red onion, cilantro, and cheddar cheese.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
- Gently fold in the diced avocado before serving.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken for extra protein.
- For extra heat, add additional jalapeño or hot sauce.
- Wait to add the avocado until serving to keep it fresh.
- This pasta salad tastes even better after chilling for a few hours.
Find it online: https://www.firsthomelovelife.com/cowboy-caviar-pasta-salad/