![Overhead close up of a bowl of cilantro lime pasta salad, where you can see the rotini pasta.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cilantro-Lime-Pasta-Salad-Featured-Image-150x150.jpg)
This quick and easy cilantro lime pasta salad is perfect for summer gatherings and potlucks. Fresh herbs and tangy lime dressing make it a refreshing side dish for any meal.
![Overhead side shot of a bowl of cilantro lime pasta salad.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cilantro-Lime-Pasta-Salad-Hero-1.jpg)
A pasta salad works perfectly as a side dish for summer cookouts, etc. So Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day etc are perfect events for this side dish.
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👍 Why Our Recipe
- I've made many pasta salad recipes over the years. I've done a lot of experimenting and testing to get to the best version of any salad recipe (including the dressing).
🧅 Ingredients
![Overhead shot of ingredients laid out, showing what is needed to make a cilantro lime pasta salad recipe, with text overlay.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cilantro-Lime-Pasta-Salad-Ingredients.jpg)
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
🥣 Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
![A large pot of cooked rotini pasta, with a noodle spatula.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cilantro-Lime-Pasta-Salad-Recipe-Step-1.jpg)
- Step 1: Cook pasta per box instructions, drain and rinse with cold water.
- Step 2: Add to chopped salad ingredients.
![A large salad bowl with the ingredients needed arranged, to show what's needed for this pasta salad recipe.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cilantro-Lime-Pasta-Salad-Recipe-Step-2.jpg)
- Step 3: Mix all salad dressing ingredients.
- Step 4: Toss with the salad ingredients and refrigerate.
![A collage of two images showing how to make the cilantro lime dressing, for this pasta salad.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cilantro-Lime-Pasta-Salad-Recipe-Steps-3-4.jpg)
Hint: Allowing the prepared salad to rest in the refrigerator for a few hours really boosts the flavors of the dressing and ingredients for the best flavorful taste.
🔄 Substitutions and Variations
- Cheeses - add some of your favorite cheese ideas. Cotija cheese is a great one.
- Olive Oil - to thin the dressing a little.
- Frozen Corn - you could use this instead, just allow to thaw.
- Pasta - I like to use Rotini pasta, but you could use your own favorite, like penne or bow tie pasta.
🔧 Recipe Troubleshooting
- Overcooked Pasta - Avoid overcooked pasta by rinsing the pasta under cold water to shock it, stopping the cooking process.
- Quickly ripen avocados - If your avocados are not quite soft enough, place in a paper bag with some bananas in a dark area. They will ripen quicker.
![Very close up view of a bowl of cilantro lime pasta salad, with a fork digging in.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cilantro-Lime-Pasta-Salad-Hero-2.jpg)
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🔌 Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Not much is needed for this recipe. Just a pot to boil the pasta, a colander to drain it, then a salad bowl and utensils.
I have some affiliate links for the equipment I used in the recipe card below.
📘 More Pasta Salad Recipes
🧊 Storage
Once you're finished serving and you have leftovers (which is unlikely), store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
💡 Tips
Expert Tip: This recipe is also great to serve for picnics too. It's so zesty and refreshing with the creamy cilantro lime dressing.
![Overhead full shot of a bowl full of cilantro lime pasta salad, with some avocados, corn and limes laying around in the background.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cilantro-Lime-Pasta-Salad-Hero-3.jpg)
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Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad
Video
Equipment
- 1 Colander
Ingredients
- 16 oz Rotini Pasta Cooked and rinsed with cold water
- 3 ea Corn on the Cob cooked
- 12 oz Cherry Tomatoes cut in half
- ½ ea Red Onion chopped
- 2 ea Avocados peeled and chopped
- 1 Bunch of Cilantro chopped
Dressing
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise
- ½ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
- ½ Cup Lime Juice fresh squeezed
- 3 Cloves Fresh Garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
- Cook the pasta per the instructions on the box then run under cold water.
- Add to a large salad bowl, along with the corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, avocado and chopped cilantro.
- In a smaller bowl add the yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes and mix well.
- Pour over the salad ingredients and toss well with salad utensils.
- Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours, to allow the flavors to marry together.
Notes
Nutrition
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