Description
Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad is a vibrant and hearty dish combining al dente pasta with crispy bacon, nutritious beans, fresh vegetables, and a zesty homemade dressing. This colorful salad is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a flavorful side dish that brings a southwestern flair to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 16 oz box of pasta (bowties, shells, rotini, or noodle of your choice)
- 1/2 pound of bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- 15 ounce can black beans (drained)
- 15 ounce can black-eyed peas (drained)
Vegetables
- 11 ounce can of white corn (drained)
- 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)
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 your oven to 425°F. Lay the bacon strips on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until they reach your preferred level of crispiness. Remove from oven, let cool, then crumble the bacon and 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 and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked pasta, crumbled bacon, drained black beans, black-eyed peas, white corn, diced bell peppers, quartered cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro. Gently mix all ingredients together to combine.
- Prepare and Add Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, white vinegar, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and lime juice until well emulsified. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss thoroughly to coat every ingredient evenly.
- Add Avocados and Serve: Just before serving, fold in the chopped avocados gently to prevent them from mashing. You can serve the salad immediately or chill it in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld for 1-2 hours.
Notes
- Adding avocados just before serving keeps them fresh and prevents browning.
- This salad can be made a few hours ahead and refrigerated, but add bacon and avocados right before serving for best texture.
- Feel free to substitute your favorite types of pasta shapes.
- Adjust spices in the dressing to taste for more heat or tanginess.
- Great as a side dish or a filling main for summer gatherings and potlucks.
