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Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad

Zesty Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad for a Fresh Summer Feast

This Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad is a quick, vibrant dish perfect for summer gatherings, featuring the crunch of sweet corn, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy dressing.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 ounces Bow Tie Pasta or any short pasta like rotini or penne
  • 1 cup Corn Kernels fresh, off the cob preferred
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes can substitute with grape tomatoes
  • ½ small Red Onion can use green onions for a milder flavor
  • ½ cup Cilantro use both leaves and stems
  • 1 medium Avocado can omit if desired
  • ½ cup Cotija Cheese optional; feta or queso fresco can be substitutes
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt try low-fat or dairy-free for a lighter option
  • ¼ cup Fresh Lime Juice adjust to taste
  • 1 clove Garlic minced; fresh preferred
  • ½ teaspoon Salt adjust to taste
  • 1 pinch Cayenne Pepper omit for milder flavor

Equipment

  • Pot
  • food processor
  • skillet
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Make the dressing by blending Greek yogurt, lime juice, chopped cilantro, garlic, salt, and cayenne pepper in a food processor until smooth. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
  2. Cook the bow tie pasta in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and cool under cold water.
  3. Sauté corn kernels in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Chop cherry tomatoes, dice red onion, and rough-chop cilantro leaves.
  4. Mix the cooled pasta with the sautéed corn, chopped tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. Drizzle dressing and toss gently to combine.
  5. Serve immediately or chill. Optionally top with diced avocado and cotija cheese before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 450mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 600IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For best results, serve immediately and keep dressing separate until serving to maintain flavor and freshness.

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