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Creamy Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad with Easy Avocado Ranch Dressing

creamy cowboy caviar pasta salad - featured image
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A quick, fresh, and creamy pasta salad featuring classic cowboy caviar ingredients tossed in a luscious avocado ranch dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini pasta (or any short pasta)
  • 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup canned corn kernels, drained (fresh or frozen works too)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk or milk of choice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. While the pasta cooks, rinse and drain 1 cup each of canned black beans and corn. Halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, dice 1/2 cup of red bell pepper, finely chop 1/4 cup red onion, and roughly chop 1/4 cup fresh cilantro. Add all to the bowl with the cooled pasta.
  3. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup buttermilk, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons chopped chives, 1 tablespoon fresh dill, and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more buttermilk if too thick.
  4. Pour the creamy avocado ranch dressing over the pasta and veggies. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and dressing firm up. Before serving, toss gently again and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with extra chopped cilantro or chives if desired.

Notes

Rinsing pasta under cold water stops cooking and prevents sticking. Use ripe avocados for best creamy texture. Fresh herbs brighten the flavor. Salad tastes better after resting for a few hours or overnight. For gluten-free, substitute pasta with chickpea or brown rice pasta. For dairy-free, use coconut yogurt and almond milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: cowboy caviar, pasta salad, avocado ranch dressing, quick salad, potluck recipe, creamy salad, southwestern salad, easy pasta salad

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/creamy-cowboy-caviar-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-avocado-ranch-dressing/