Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad Recipe
This refreshing Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad combines bow tie pasta with sweet corn, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a zesty cilantro lime dressing. Creamy avocados and optional crumbled Cotija cheese add richness, while Greek yogurt ensures a tangy, healthy twist. Perfect as a light lunch or vibrant side dish for any meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad
- 16 oz. bow tie pasta, cooked and cooled (or your favorite pasta)
- 1½ cups corn kernels (about 2 ears of corn)*
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ of a small red onion, chopped or thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
- 1–2 avocados, diced
- Cotija cheese, crumbled (optional)
Dressing
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup cilantro, roughly chopped (leaves & stems are ok)
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp cayenne
Instructions
- Make the dressing. Add plain Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, roughly chopped cilantro (including leaves and stems), garlic cloves, salt, and cayenne to a food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Cover and refrigerate the dressing until ready to use to let flavors meld.
- Toss the pasta salad. In a large bowl, combine the cooled bow tie pasta, corn kernels, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped or thinly sliced red onion, and finely chopped cilantro. Pour your desired amount of the prepared cilantro lime dressing over the ingredients. Toss thoroughly to coat all components evenly with the dressing.
- Serve. Portion out the salad onto plates or bowls. Top each serving with diced avocado and a sprinkle of crumbled Cotija cheese, if using. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and creamy textures.
Notes
- Cook pasta according to package instructions, rinse with cold water, and drain well to cool before mixing.
- You can substitute frozen corn, thawed and drained, if fresh corn is unavailable.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to taste for desired spiciness level.
- For a dairy-free version, omit Greek yogurt and Cotija cheese, or substitute with plant-based alternatives.
- The salad is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day; add avocado just before serving to prevent browning.
Keywords: Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad, pasta salad, cilantro dressing, summer salad, avocado, Greek yogurt, fresh corn, easy salad recipe
Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/cilantro-lime-pasta-salad-recipe/
