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SouthwestSummer Pasta Salad


  • Author: Crystal
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: vegetarian

Description

A bright, refreshing pasta salad packed with grilled peppers, corn, and smoky chipotle, perfect for summer gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound orecchiette, cooked
  • 2 yellow peppers, grilled, julienned
  • 1 red onion, finely sliced
  • 6 tomatillos, quartered
  • 1 cup fresh corn kernels
  • 1 cup frozen baby lima beans, thawed
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1 canned chipotle pepper
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • salt, to taste
  • freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Cook the orecchiette according to package directions, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the grilled yellow peppers, sliced red onion, quartered tomatillos, corn kernels, and thawed lima beans.
  3. Whisk together white wine vinegar, olive oil, chipotle pepper (minced), lime juice, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
  4. Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss to coat evenly.
  5. Add the cooled orecchiette to the bowl and gently fold until the pasta is fully incorporated.
  6. Stir in the chopped cilantro and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
  7. Serve immediately or chill for up to 2 hours for deeper flavor integration.

Notes

For extra creaminess, toss in a handful of crumbled queso fresco before serving. This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for 3 days.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: mixed
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 380 kcal
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 55g
  • Fiber: 7g
  • Protein: 12g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: Southwest, pasta salad, summer, grilled peppers, chipotle, vegetarian