Southwestern Orzo Pasta Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Southwestern Orzo Pasta Salad with Cilantro - Lime Dressing is a fun, colorful and super flavorful addition to your Southwestern or Mexican-inspired meal!
Servings: 6
Ingredients
Salad
- Salt
- 1 pound orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes (1 pint) halved
- 2 cups corn kernels from 3 cooked ears
- 1/2 medium red onion finely chopped (1/2 cup filled to heaping)
- 1 can (15-ounce) black beans drained and rinsed
Dressing
- 1 bunch cilantro with tender stems, coarsely chopped
- 1 medium jalapeno pepper coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 2 cloves garlic coarsely chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Cilantro sprigs and lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
Salad
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil.
- Add the orzo and cook according to the package directions, being sure to not overcook.
- Drain in a sieve or colander and immediately rinse with cold running tap water.
- Drain again and toss with 1-2 tablespoons olive oil. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the tomatoes, corn, red onion and black beans and stir to combine.
Dressing
- Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth.
- Pour dressing over salad and stir well. Serve immediately garnished with cilantro sprigs and lime wedges.
Notes
OPTIONAL ADDITIONS:
- Diced avocado
- Diced red or yellow bell pepperÂ
- Combine the salad up to adding the dressing. Cover and refrigerate.
- Make the dressing and store it separately.
- When ready to serve, add the dressing and stir.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 538kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Sodium: 124mg | Potassium: 404mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 393IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg