Fresh & Healthy Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad (Super Creamy!) Recipe
A fresh and healthy cilantro lime pasta salad that is super creamy and bursting with vibrant flavors. Featuring a homemade Greek yogurt avocado dressing, this salad combines tender pasta, chickpeas, crunchy cucumber, sweet corn, and tangy feta cheese for a nutritious and satisfying meal or side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 1 batch Greek Yogurt Avocado Salad Dressing (with double the cilantro and no parsley)
Salad
- 1 (375g) box short pasta (such as rotini, fusilli, or penne), cooked according to package directions
- 1 (19 oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 (12 oz.) can corn, drained and rinsed
- 1 medium cucumber, chopped
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese or cojita cheese, crumbled
- Cilantro leaves, for garnish (optional)
- Lime juice, for squeezing on top (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: Make the cilantro lime dressing by blending together the Greek yogurt avocado dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooked and cooled pasta, drained chickpeas, drained corn, chopped cucumber, and diced red onion.
- Add dressing: Drizzle the prepared cilantro lime dressing over the combined salad ingredients and toss thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- Incorporate cheese: Sprinkle crumbled feta or cojita cheese on top, then gently toss again to distribute the cheese throughout the salad without breaking it down too much.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and add a squeeze of fresh lime juice on top if desired. Serve immediately or chill for later enjoyment.
Notes
- This salad is best served chilled but can be enjoyed immediately for a fresher taste.
- Use short pasta types like rotini, fusilli, or penne to hold the dressing well.
- For a vegan variation, substitute the Greek yogurt avocado dressing with a dairy-free dressing and omit the feta cheese.
- Adjust the amount of cilantro in the dressing to your taste preference.
- Make sure to drain and rinse canned chickpeas and corn to reduce sodium content.
Keywords: cilantro lime pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, Greek yogurt dressing, avocado dressing, healthy pasta salad, vegetarian pasta salad, easy summer salad
