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Irresistibly Hearty Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad for Summer Feasts

A vibrant and satisfying Hearty Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad, perfect for summer gatherings.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Chilling Time30 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Southwestern
Keyword: BBQ Salad, Hearty Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad, Potluck Dish, Summer Salad, Vegetable Salad
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 320kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Skillet
  • mixing bowl
  • Colander

Ingredients

For the Pasta

  • 8 ounces Rotini Pasta or bowtie or penne as alternatives

For the Beans & Corn

  • 1 can Canned Black Beans rinsed
  • 1 can Canned Sweet Corn rinsed

For the Vegetables

  • 1 medium Red Bell Pepper diced
  • 1 medium Orange Bell Pepper diced
  • 1 medium Red Onion finely chopped

For the Savory Crunch

  • 6 slices Bacon cooked and crumbled

For Freshness

  • 1 cup Fresh Parsley or Cilantro chopped

For the Dressing

  • 1/2 cup Ranch or Southwest-style Dressing
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder or cayenne for heat
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin

For Seasoning

  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper

Instructions

Steps to Prepare

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the rotini pasta. Cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes, and drain thoroughly.
  • Dice the red and orange bell peppers, finely chop the red onion, and rinse the canned black beans and sweet corn.
  • In a skillet over medium heat, fry the bacon until crispy, about 7-10 minutes. Once cooked, let it cool on paper towels and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini, black beans, corn, diced bell peppers, chopped onion, and fresh herbs. Toss gently to mix.
  • Drizzle ranch or Southwest-style dressing over the salad. Sprinkle in the chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat.
  • Add the crumbled bacon right before serving to keep it crunchy.
  • For best flavor, cover the salad and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Notes

Garnish with additional fresh herbs before serving for extra brightness.