Easy Southwest Tortellini Pasta Salad

Easy Southwest Tortellini Pasta Salad – This easy and flavorful Tortellini Pasta Salad is loaded with veggies, has a simple homemade dressing and comes together in less than 30 minutes.

 

Servings: 5

Ingredients

  • 20 ounce package three cheese refrigerated tortellini
  • 1 cup corn , fresh cooked, canned or frozen
  • 15 ounce can black beans , drained and rinsed
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 avocado , peeled, seeded and chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes , halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion , chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro , chopped

Dressing:

  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • juice from 2 limes
  • 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic , minced
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

 

Instructions

  1. Cook the tortellini according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. Add tortellini to a large bowl. Add cooked corn, black beans, bell pepper, avocado, cherry tomatoes, onion, and cilantro.
  3. Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a resealable jar. Shake until combined. Pour desired amount of dressing (you may not want to use it all) over the pasta and toss to coat.

Notes

Tortellini: Although the dry packaged kind will work for this recipe, I just don’t think they taste as good. The refrigerated kind only take a few minutes to cook once your water is boiling and they’re much better tasting.
Variations:
  • Add protein: grilled chicken, tofu, shrimp or steak.
  • Substitute what you already have! Use your favorite kind of beans, and incorporate other veggies you like or already have on hand.
  • Adjust Spice: add some hot sauce to the dressing, to turn up the heat.
  • Dressing: if you don’t want to make it from scratch (sigh!) you can add your favorite store-bought zesty southwest or Italian.

Make Ahead Instructions: Cook the tortellini, chop the veggies and make the dressing, but store separately. Combine everything just before serving!

 

 

 

Source: tastesbetterfromscratch.com

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