Southwest Pasta Salad Recipe with Corn and Black Beans
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Southwest Pasta Salad is a scrumptious pasta-loaded potluck dish that combines the flavors of corn and black bean salsa with char-grilled sweet corn. You’ll flip for this bean pasta salad recipe!! Make this for your next cookout!
Whether you need a side dish for a potluck picnic, poolside party, summer BBQ, or just a simple weeknight meal, you can never go wrong with pasta salad!
I think it’s the perfect side dish, and a great way to use cooked pasta. It’s different than traditional pasta salads, which is why I like it!
It was southwest flavor in every bite, and has always been a crowd pleaser at family gatherings and summer time BBQs.
The flavor combination of the crunchy fresh veggies paired with the tender pasta is the best. And you can always easily change up the ingredients.
Adding red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and fresh corn to this Southwestern Pasta Salad is a good idea, but don’t forget that you can also add black olives, green onions, cooked black beans, diced sweet potatoes, and some spicy chipotle peppers for a little kick.
While I think that it’s already the best pasta salad, you can easily add any other southwest-inspired ingredients! Have fun!
Southwest Pasta Salad
Pasta salads are ridiculously simple to make, and you can even make them the night before an event.
This means there’s one less thing to prepare before your guests arrive!
This southwestern salad is a fantastic Mexican party food dish!
It’s a vegetarian dish, but the flavors are perfect for pairing it with some pulled pork or crockpot shredded chicken.
Loaded with plenty of fresh veggies, tender rotini, cubes of cheddar, and spicy dressing, this corn and black bean pasta salad will be the star of any potluck or summer barbecue.
Another favorite southwest pasta recipe is steak fajita pasta salad. It has all the flavor of steak fajitas, and it’s easy to make for a quick summer meal!!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Noodles – I’m fond of rotini for pasta salad with beans, but cavatappi is a close second.
- Tomatoes – Grape tomatoes are less watery than cherry, but either will work in this recipe. Be sure to slice them in half!
- Corn – If sweet corn isn’t in season, you can substitute it with fire-roasted corn kernels or plain frozen corn.
Be sure to thaw and drain frozen corn before adding it to pasta salad with beans. - Beans – Black beans are a signature in southwest dishes, but pinto or even dark kidney beans would be just as tasty. Drain and rinse any canned varieties.
- Cheese – Use your favorite cheddar depending on how bold you like it. Monterey Jack is a milder alternative, while Pepper Jack adds a nice kick!
Bean Pasta Salad Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Skip the Grill.
Cook ears of corn on the cob in the air fryer to keep all of your prep inside. An average-sized ear of corn on the cob yields between ½ and ¾ cup of kernels. - Want to adjust the spiciness?
Adjust the number of chipotle in adobo to reach your desired spice level.
I find that 2 peppers give a mild spiciness, and 3 peppers make southwest pasta moderately spicy. - Don’t add the dressing too soon.
As with any pasta salad, the dressing gets absorbed into the noodles as it sits.
If you’re not serving immediately, toss bean pasta salad with ½ of the dressing, then reserve the remaining dressing for tossing again just before serving. - Wear gloves!
Jalapeños and other spicy peppers contain oils that can irritate your skin and eyes. Prep spicy chiles last, and discard the gloves immediately afterward.
This helps to prevent transferring the oils to other surfaces.
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Large pot and strainer for the rotini.
- Quality knives and a big solid cutting board make prepping a breeze and are well worth the investment.
- Food Processor – A food processor or high-speed blender makes the task of combining the southwest pasta salad dressing ingredients much easier.
- Serving bowl with tongs – These bamboo hands help to toss everything gently and are attractive enough for serving as well.
Southwest Pasta Recipe FAQ
This southwest pasta salad has a mayo-based dressing, so it will keep for 3 to 4 days when refrigerated in an airtight container.
Dairy products tend to spoil fairly quickly, especially if they’re in pasta salads that sit in the hot sun for too long.
To prevent bacteria from forming, use this tip to keep your dish cool. Fill a larger bowl with ice cubes, then nestle the serving dish with black bean pasta salad into the ice.
Absolutely! As written, this southwest pasta salad recipe yields about 8 servings as a side dish. If you add meat to the salad, it makes a fantastic main dish for 4-6 people.
Be sure to increase the ingredient amounts of the veggies, and make additional chipotle ranch dressing if you’ll be serving a larger crowd.
Pasta salad with beans makes an excellent side for all of your cookout favorites!
Pair it with grilled steak, a tray of sliders, or even slow cooker meatballs. For an easy weeknight meal, serve black bean pasta salad with a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
Don’t miss a thing! Follow us on
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Other Easy Pasta Salads
Southwest Pasta Salad Recipe with Corn and Black Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini pasta, cooked and drained
- 3 ears of corn, grilled and cut from cob (about 1 ½ cups kernels – see Notes for substitutes)
- 1 ½ cups halved grape tomatoes
- 1 cup black beans, (if canned, drained and rinsed)
- 2 bell peppers, diced (any color)
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, cut into cubes
- 2 avocados, pitted, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Chipotle Ranch Dressing
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2-3 chipotle in adobo sauce, (see Notes)
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, or lemon juice
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, corn, tomatoes, black beans, bell peppers, cheese, avocado, and chopped cilantro. Toss to combine.
- Prepare the chipotle ranch dressing by placing all dressing ingredients in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Chop/blend until pureed and evenly combined. Thin with water for desired consistency as needed.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to distribute. (See Notes)
- Serve immediately.
Donna’s Notes
- Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and use within 3-4 days.
- An average sized ear of corn on the cob yields between ½ and ¾ cup of kernels. If sweet corn isn’t in season, you can substitute it with fire-roasted corn kernels, sold in the frozen food section of most grocery stores. Or, feel free to use plain frozen corn. Thaw and drain frozen corn before adding it to the salad.
- Adjust the number of chipotle peppers for desired spice level. I found 2 to be very mild and 3 to be moderately spicy.
- As with any pasta salad, the dressing gets absorbed into the pasta as it sits. If you’re not serving immediately, I recommend tossing with ½ of the dressing, and reserve the remaining dressing for tossing again just before serving.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published May 2015, updated and republished July 2024
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
How much oregano goes in the dressing?
This pasta salad was great! It has a nice southwestern tex-mex style taste that makes a great combination of flavors with the whole dish!
This pasta salad is a hit at every potluck. So delicious!
Hi Charlotte!
So glad you enjoyed!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn