Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad
Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavorful salad featuring tender pasta shells tossed with colorful bell peppers, beans, corn, and a zesty lime dressing spiced with chili powder and cumin. Finished with fresh cilantro and tangy feta cheese, this salad is perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or light lunches, offering bold southwestern flavors and satisfying textures.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling, Mixing
- Cuisine: Southwestern, American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
8 ounces small shell pasta
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow or orange bell pepper, diced
½ red onion, diced
1 (15-ounce) can corn kernels, drained
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 (10-ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Pasta Salad Dressing:
½ cup olive oil
⅓ cup lime juice
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste
1½ tablespoons red wine vinegar
1½ tablespoons honey
1 (4-ounce) package crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
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Cook pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside to cool.
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In a large bowl, combine diced bell peppers, red onion, corn, black beans, black-eyed peas, Rotel tomatoes, and chopped cilantro.
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Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, red wine vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
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Add cooled pasta to the vegetable and bean mixture. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to coat evenly.
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Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top and fold gently into the salad.
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Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Toss again before serving.
Notes
Add diced avocado before serving for creaminess.
Substitute feta with cotija or shredded cheddar for different flavors.
Use quinoa or couscous in place of pasta for variation.
Spice it up with jalapeños or hot sauce.
Add fresh mint or oregano for herbal notes.
Find it online: https://familydinnercooking.com/cowboy-caviar-pasta-salad/
