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.
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.
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe so yummy
- Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
- Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
- Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Recipe Troubleshooting
- Necessary gear: Equipment
- More pasta salad recipes I think you'll love
- How to store leftovers
- Mel's kitchen notes
- Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad
- Fan Favorite Recipes
- 💬 Comments
What makes this recipe so yummy
- 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).
Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Step 1: Cook pasta per box instructions, drain and rinse with cold water.
- Step 2: Add to chopped salad ingredients.
- Step 3: Mix all salad dressing ingredients.
- Step 4: Toss with the salad ingredients and refrigerate.
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.
Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- 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.
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Necessary gear: 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 I think you'll love
How to store leftovers
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.
Mel's kitchen notes
This recipe is also great to serve for picnics too. It's so zesty and refreshing with the creamy cilantro lime dressing.
If you’ve tried this Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!
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Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad
Video
Equipment
- 1 4.5 Quart Pot
- 1 Colander
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces Rotini Pasta Cooked and rinsed with cold water
- 3 Each Corn on the Cob cooked
- 12 Ounces Cherry Tomatoes cut in half
- ½ Each Red Onion chopped
- 2 Each Avocados peeled and chopped
- 1 Bunch Fresh Cilantro chopped
Dressing
- ½ Cup Mayonnaise
- ½ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
- ½ Cup Lime Juice fresh squeezed
- 3 Cloves 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.16 Ounces Rotini Pasta
- Add to a large salad bowl, along with the corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, avocado and chopped cilantro.3 Each Corn on the Cob, 12 Ounces Cherry Tomatoes, ½ Each Red Onion, 2 Each Avocados, 1 Bunch Fresh Cilantro
- In a smaller bowl add the yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes and mix well.½ Cup Mayonnaise, ½ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt, ½ Cup Lime Juice, 3 Cloves Garlic, 1 teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Black Pepper, ½ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 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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