Description
A vibrant and hearty Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad that combines tender pasta, crispy bacon, black beans, fresh vegetables, and a zesty, flavorful dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish or a light main for gatherings or weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Beans
- 16 oz box of pasta (bowties, shells, rotini or noodle of your choice)
- 15 ounce can black beans (drained)
- 15 ounce can black eyed peas (drained)
- 11 ounce can white corn (drained)
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 small red onion (diced)
- 2 bell peppers (any color, diced)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (quartered)
- 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
- 3 avocados (peeled and chopped)
Meat
- 1/2 pound of bacon (cooked and crumbled)
Dressing
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the bacon strips on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Remove from the oven, cool slightly, and crumble the bacon. Set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, crumbled bacon, drained black beans, black eyed peas, white corn, diced bell peppers, quartered cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, white vinegar, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and lime juice until the dressing is well emulsified and flavorful.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad mixture and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Add the chopped avocados last to prevent them from becoming mushy. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for a refreshing cold salad.
Notes
- Adding the avocados just before serving prevents them from browning and keeps their texture fresh.
- You can use any pasta shape you prefer to keep the salad interesting.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon or replace it with crispy smoked tempeh or vegan bacon bits.
- Make sure all canned beans and corn are thoroughly drained to avoid excess liquid in the salad.
- Chilling the salad for at least an hour before serving enhances the flavors melding together.
