Taco Pasta Salad

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Taco Pasta Salad — EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with great Mexican-inspired ingredients including corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more!! Perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks!!

Taco Pasta Salad - EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with great Mexican-inspired ingredients including corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more!! Perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks!!

Mexican Pasta Salad Recipe

Post is brought to you by Santa Cruz Organic®. The recipe, images, text, and opinions expressed are my own.

It’s summer and in my world that means carefree days, no-cook lunches, and casual dinners. It also means lots of outdoor grilling, get-togethers, and easy-breezy backyard entertaining.

That’s where this taco pasta salad that’s ready in 20 minutes comes into play. It’s loaded with so many layers of Mexican-inspired flavors, including tender pasta, black beans, juicy corn and tomatoes, creamy avocado, cilantro, green onions, and more. Everything is tossed in limey, taco seasoning-based vinaigrette.

It makes a large batch to feed your hungry family members, friends, and neighbors. It’s accidentally vegetarian and my daughter said it’s one of the best things I’ve made in ages. Simple ingredients that deliver big time results and flavor.

Taco Pasta Salad - EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with great Mexican-inspired ingredients including corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more!! Perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks!!

And of course you’re going to need some delicious hydration and that’s where Santa Cruz Organic® is here to help. From their iconic lemonades to the lightly sweetened Agua Frescas and the new Carbonated Tea Lemonades, Santa Cruz Organic offers the perfect way to refresh your summer with unique flavors.

Santa Cruz Organic’s line of organic, non-GMO lemonades and fruit juices are an easy way to beat the summer heat. They’re made with 100% organic fruit juice and Santa Cruz Organic lemonades are a summertime favorite we can all feel good about drinking.

The Half & Half Iced Tea Lemonade and their Mango Lemonade go down so easily, and the Mango Passionfruit Agua Fresca is the perfect complement to the Mexican flavors in the recipe. If you’re into fizz and carbonation, you’ll love the and Carbonated Tea Lemonades.

Chilled Santa Cruz Organics beverages are the perfect refreshments for almost any casual party, picnic, or potluck you’re throwing or attending and will help you beat the heat! 

Taco Pasta Salad - EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with great Mexican-inspired ingredients including corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more!! Perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks!!

What’s in Taco Pasta Salad? 

To make this easy pasta salad recipe, you’ll need: 

  • Pasta
  • Black beans
  • Mexican shredded cheese
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Corn
  • Green onions
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Avocados 
  • Olive oil
  • Santa Cruz Organic Lime Juice®
  • Honey
  • Taco seasoning 
  • Garlic

Taco Pasta Salad - EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with great Mexican-inspired ingredients including corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more!! Perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks!!

How to Make Taco Pasta Salad

To make this taco pasta salad, simply stir together the cooked pasta, beans, tomatoes, avocado chunks, corn, green onions, cilantro, and cheese. 

Whisk the pasta salad dressing together in a separate bowl, then drizzle over the pasta mixture and toss to combine. 

You can enjoy this Mexican-inspired taco salad immediately or pop it into the fridge and serve later.

Taco Pasta Salad - EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with great Mexican-inspired ingredients including corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more!! Perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks!!

What Pasta Should I Use for Pasta Salad? 

I recommend using a short, sturdy pasta in this taco pasta salad. Bow-tie, macaroni, rotini, and shells are all good options. They’ll hold up nicely against the heftier ingredients, like black beans and tomatoes. 

How Long Does Pasta Salad Last? 

This easy pasta salad will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 4 days, noting the avocado will oxidize as time passes.

Taco Pasta Salad - EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with great Mexican-inspired ingredients including corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more!! Perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks!!

Tips for Making Taco Pasta Salad

Be sure to generously salt the water before cooking the pasta in it. You want the pasta itself to have some flavor as well! 

If you don’t want the cheese to melt, let the pasta cool completely before tossing all the ingredients together. 

You’re welcome to add extra veggies or your protein of choice to this Mexican pasta salad. Chicken, ground beef, and ground turkey would all be good additions! I bet a vegan chorizo would also be tasty, if you want to keep this salad vegetarian. 

Taco Pasta Salad - EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with great Mexican-inspired ingredients including corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more!! Perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks!!

Taco Pasta Salad — EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with great Mexican-inspired ingredients including corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more!! Perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks!!

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4.60 from 5 votes

Taco Pasta Salad

By Averie Sunshine
EASY, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with great Mexican-inspired ingredients including corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more!! Perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks!!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
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Ingredients  

Salad

  • ¾ pound pasta, cooked according to package directions (small shells, rotini, bowtie, etc.)
  • one 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed (I used no-salt added)
  • 2 cups Mexican shredded cheese blend
  • about 1 1/2 cups sliced cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 1 ½ cups corn, fresh or frozen
  • ½ cup green onions, sliced into thin rounds
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, finely minced
  • 1 or 2 medium/large Hass avocados, peeled and diced small

Dressing

  • cup olive oil
  • cup Santa Cruz Organic Lime Juice®
  • ¼ to ⅓ cup honey or agave
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning, I use reduced-salt, medium heat
  • 1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced or finely pressed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
  • Santa Cruz Organic® Lemonades, Agua Frescas, and Carbonated Lemonades for serving

Instructions 

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a very large bowl.
  • Add the black beans, cheese (note – if you don’t want the cheese to melt, make sure the pasta has cooled before adding the cheese), tomatoes, corn, green onions, cilantro, and stir to combine.
  • Add the avocado and stir gently to combine.
  • To a medium bowl, add the olive oil, lime juice, honey, taco seasoning, garlic, salt, pepper, and whisk to combine.
  • Drizzle the vinaigrette over the pasta bowl, stir well to combine, taste, and check for seasoning balance. Add more salt, pepper, lime juice, honey, cilantro, etc. if desired.
  • Serve with Santa Cruz Organic beverages.

Notes

  • Pasta salad will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 4 days, noting the avocado will oxidize as time passes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 477kcal, Carbohydrates: 55g, Protein: 16g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 781mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugar: 16g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

More Pasta Salad Recipes: 

BLT Pasta Salad — EASY, ready in 15 minutes, feeds a crowd, and PERFECT for potlucks and parties. Creamy ranch dressing perfectly coats the pasta and BACON. Guaranteed family FAVORITE!

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Italian Chicken Pasta Salad — Easy, ready in 20 minutes, and showcases some of my favorite summer ingredients. It’s perfect for summer potlucks and BBQs, or as a no-fuss family dinner!

A white bowl of Italian Chicken Pasta Salad 

Mandarin Orange Chicken Pasta Salad – EASY, ready in 30 minutes, and packed with Asian-inspired flavors!! Juicy sesame chicken, pasta, and lots of healthy vegetables!

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Club Sandwich Pasta Salad – All your favorite club sandwich ingredients in an EASY pasta salad!! Turkey, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese with ranch!

A white bowl of Club Sandwich Pasta Salad

Tomato and Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad – Tender pasta, cherry tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella are coated in Parmesan cheese and DELICIOUS pesto sauce!!

A white bowl of Tomato and Mozzarella Pesto Pasta Salad

Greek Lemon Chicken and Orzo Pasta Salad – EASY, ready in 25 minutes, and feeds a crowd!! Juicy lemon chicken with orzo, fresh spinach, cucumbers, and tomatoes make this a dinnertime WINNER!

A white bowl of Greek Lemon Chicken and Orzo Pasta Salad

Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad — This is a fast and easy recipe the whole family will love, ready in 20 minutes, and it’s one of the best pasta salads I’ve eaten in ages.

Overhead shot of Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad

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About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

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Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

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Comments

  1. I am always on the lookout for tasty, full-flavored, easy recipes for busy days. This I must say ticks ALL the boxes! I’m planning to have an intimate get together and this will be a perfectly satisfying entree. Many thanks.

  2. made it a second time and it was better than the first one. Very delicious and easy to make.
    Sending the link to my friend in Germany. Is there anyway your recipes can be translated into german?

  3. 5 stars
    From the moment I read this recipe I knew I had to try it. Thought I had everything on hand except for the fresh cilantro. Started things doing only to find no black beans. Made this using kidney beans and I used dry cilantro leaves which I put in with the dressing. This was sooooo good. Cannot wait to make it again with the black beans. The only thingI will change is to use diced red onions. Thanks so much for this great recipe.

    1. Thanks Heather! I saw pics of your kids on FB the other day going back to school. Hope you’re hanging in there :)

  4. I must try this ASAP….looks delicious.
    I’m not experienced in “taco seasoning”….I tend to buy my tacos at Taco Bell (don’t judge me.) Anyway, is this amount like a package of taco seasoning for one pound hamburger meat? Or, do you buy a jar of it? Please teach me. Thank you.

    1. It’s a packet near where they tend to keep salsas, beans, refried beans, etc. About 99 cents depending on brand. McCormick, Ortega, store brand, whatever you prefer.

  5. This looks like a tasty and simple dish. Yummy! As my summer winds down and winter starts to creep into my mind… so does a trip to San Diego!

    1. Thankfully it won’t be winter here in San Diego for many more months and it’s mild and brief :)

  6. All of my favorite foods! And I have Sungold tomatoes in my garden! Great looking recipe, thanks. Pinned.

  7. This looks like it is full of flavor! I love the taco seasoning in the vinaigrette and I know I ‘d make extra to have on hand for other salads later. Our office is receiving all kinds of tomatoes right now and I have a nice assortment of red and yellow cherry tomatoes that would be perfect in this!

    1. I wish I was receiving all sorts of tomatoes! That would be my kind of office :) The vinaigrette is so tasty with the taco seasoning and this makes a big batch, perfect for parties or planned leftovers!