Recipe: Southwest Pasta Salad

Ingredients

1. Boil the pasta in salted water according to package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the dressing by zesting the limes and placing the zest in a large salad bowl.
3. In a blender, combine lime juice, vinegar, garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt, and sugar; blend until smooth.
4. With the blender running, slowly add the oil until fully incorporated, then pulse in the cilantro.
5. Once the pasta is cooked, drain and rinse it with cold water to cool.
6. In the salad bowl with lime zest, combine the cooled pasta, black beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, green onions, corn, and chicken if using.
7. Toss everything with the dressing and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
8. For best results, chill the salad for 1 hour before serving.
9. Right before serving, sprinkle cheese on top and serve with extra lime wedges if desired.

Servings

4-6 dinner sized servings or 10-12 side servings

Calories

250

Total fat

15g

Total carbohydrates

30g

Total protein

10g

Sodium

300mg

Cholesterol

20mg