Spicy Mexican-Style Pasta Salad with Black Beans, Corn & Bel

• servings: 10 servings
• active time: 40 minutes
• total time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

2 (15 oz) cans black beans

1 small bunch cilantro

1 English cucumber

1 cup frozen corn

2 cloves garlic

2 jalapeño peppers

1 lime

2 oz Parmesan cheese

¼ cup plain Greek yogurt

2 red bell peppers

10 oz rotini pasta

¼ tsp black pepper

2 tsp butter, unsalted

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 tsp oregano, dried

½ tbsp salt

1 tsp smoked paprika

Directions

Fill a large pot halfway with hot water (from the tap), cover, and bring to a boil. Uncover, add salt and pasta, and stir for a few seconds. Cook until desired firmness, 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.

Meanwhile, wash and dry the fresh produce.

Trim, seed, and small dice bell peppers. Place in a large bowl.

Quarter jalapeño peppers lengthwise; seed and remove ribs with a spoon to reduce spice level. Small dice and add to the bowl with the bell pepper. (Be careful with jalapeños; do not touch your eyes and ensure you wash your hands after handling or wear gloves while preparing.)

Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

While the skillet heats up, peel and mince garlic. Add to the bowl.

Once the skillet is hot, add butter and swirl to coat the bottom. Add bell pepper, jalapeño, garlic, corn, and spices to the skillet; cook, stirring frequently, until veggies are soft, 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat. (Reserve bowl for the next step.)

While the veggies are cooking, juice lime into the reserved bowl.

Finely grate Parmesan. Add to the bowl with the lime juice, along with yogurt and mayo, then stir to combine the dressing.

Shave cilantro leaves off the stems; discard stems and mince the leaves. Add to the bowl with the dressing.

Trim and small dice cucumber. Add to the bowl.

Drain and rinse beans. Add to the bowl, along with the cooled pasta and veggies, then stir to combine the pasta salad.

To serve, divide the pasta salad between plates or bowls. Enjoy!

Notes

Takes 40 minutes

Nutrition

• Calories: 701