Chipotle Lime Pasta Dish

Featured in Fresh and Filling Salads.

This refreshing Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad is perfect for any occasion. Tossed in a creamy chipotle-lime dressing, this dish features al dente rotini pasta combined with ripe avocado, hearty black beans, sweet corn, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs like cilantro. A touch of jalapeño adds mild heat, while lime juice brightens the flavors. Easy to prepare and packed with vibrant ingredients, it's ideal as a standalone dish or a side. Refrigerate for a while to let the flavors develop before serving. It's a crowd-pleaser worth trying!

Fatiha
Updated on Sun, 11 May 2025 13:34:41 GMT
A bowl of pasta salad with tomatoes, corn, and avocado. Pin it
A bowl of pasta salad with tomatoes, corn, and avocado. | zestplate.com

This vibrant chipotle lime pasta salad has been my go-to solution for potlucks and family gatherings throughout the warmer months. The creamy dressing with a smoky chipotle kick perfectly complements the fresh vegetables and hearty pasta, creating a satisfying dish that disappears quickly whenever I serve it.

I first created this recipe for my daughter's graduation party when I needed something that could sit out safely and still taste amazing. The combination of textures and flavors got so many compliments that it's now requested at every family function.

Ingredients

  • Rotini pasta: Perfect pasta shape that captures all the dressing in its spirals
  • Ripe avocado: Adds creaminess and healthy fats; choose ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure
  • Black beans: Provide protein and fiber; rinse well to remove excess sodium
  • Corn: Adds sweet pops of flavor and bright color; fresh or frozen both work well
  • Cherry tomatoes: Bring juicy freshness; quarter them for the perfect bite size
  • Red onion: Delivers sharp flavor and beautiful color; soak in cold water briefly to mellow if desired
  • Fresh cilantro: Brightens the entire dish with its distinctive flavor
  • Jalapeño: Introduces a fresh heat element that complements the smoky chipotle
  • Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the dressing; use good quality for best results
  • Sour cream: Balances the richness of the mayo with pleasant tanginess
  • Whole milk: Thins the dressing to perfect consistency
  • Lime juice: Adds essential acidity that makes the flavors pop
  • Chipotle powder: Provides smoky heat without overwhelming the dish

How To Make Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad

Cook the pasta:
Bring generously salted water to a rolling boil before adding the pasta. Cook until just tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Make sure it drains thoroughly to avoid watering down your dressing.
Prepare the vegetables:
While the pasta cooks, chop all vegetables to uniform sizes for the most balanced bites. Keep the avocado for last to prevent browning and dice it into chunks large enough to maintain their integrity when mixed.
Combine salad ingredients:
Gently fold together the cooled pasta and all prepared vegetables in a large bowl. Use a rubber spatula and a lifting motion rather than stirring to keep the avocado intact and prevent squishing delicate ingredients.
Mix the dressing:
Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a separate bowl until completely smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as the chipotle flavor will develop more during chilling. The dressing should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pourable.
Dress the salad:
Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture, starting with three-quarters of it. Fold gently to coat everything evenly, then add more if needed. Some will absorb into the pasta during chilling.
Chill thoroughly:
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing all flavors to meld together and the pasta to absorb some of the dressing. This makes the final dish much more cohesive and flavorful.
A bowl of pasta with tomatoes, corn, and avocado. Pin it
A bowl of pasta with tomatoes, corn, and avocado. | zestplate.com

The chipotle powder is truly the secret star of this recipe. I discovered its transformative powers when I accidentally used it instead of regular chili powder in another dish. That happy accident led me to experiment with it in dressings, and my family now requests the smoky kick in almost everything.

Make Ahead Tips

This pasta salad actually improves with a little time in the refrigerator. You can prepare it up to 24 hours in advance, but I recommend adding the avocado just before serving to keep it at its best. If you must add it earlier, toss the diced avocado in a little extra lime juice before mixing it in to help prevent browning. The flavors continue to develop and meld together as it chills, making this an ideal prepare-ahead option for busy schedules or entertaining.

Easy Substitutions

The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility. No rotini? Any medium pasta shape with ridges or curves works beautifully; bowtie, penne, or fusilli are excellent alternatives. Make it dairy-free by substituting plant-based mayo and yogurt for the conventional dairy ingredients. Vegetable options are endlessly adaptable too; try bell peppers, zucchini, or jicama for different textures. For a protein boost, add diced grilled chicken or small shrimp. The fundamental chipotle lime flavor profile shines through regardless of your adaptations.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this vibrant pasta salad as a standalone lunch or as part of a larger spread. It pairs wonderfully with grilled proteins, especially chicken or fish with complementary southwestern flavors. For a complete meal, I often arrange it on a bed of mixed greens and top with additional protein. When entertaining, I serve it alongside tortilla chips for scooping up the smaller pieces. This versatile dish transitions seamlessly from casual backyard gatherings to more formal buffets, making it a true workhorse recipe in my collection.

A bowl of pasta with tomatoes, corn, and beans. Pin it
A bowl of pasta with tomatoes, corn, and beans. | zestplate.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes! Any short pasta like penne, fusilli, or farfalle works well as a substitute for rotini.

→ How can I make it spicier?

To make it spicier, increase the amount of chipotle powder or add finely diced fresh chili peppers.

→ Can I prepare this in advance?

Absolutely! Make it up to a day in advance and store it covered in the fridge. Add the avocado just before serving to keep it fresh.

→ What are some dairy-free alternatives for the dressing?

Use dairy-free mayo and sour cream alternatives to make the dressing completely dairy-free.

→ Can I add extra veggies or protein?

Definitely! Add extras like shredded chicken, grilled shrimp, bell peppers, or zucchini for added variety and nutrition.

Chipotle Lime Pasta Salad

Pasta with chipotle-lime dressing, black beans, corn, avocado, and fresh vegetables.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
15 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Salads

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Mexican-inspired

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Salad

01 8 ounces rotini pasta
02 1 ripe avocado, peeled, cored, and diced
03 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
04 15 ounces corn, drained
05 1 cup (149 g) cherry tomatoes, quartered
06 40 g red onion, finely diced
07 ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
08 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and finely diced

→ Dressing

09 116 g mayonnaise
10 115 g sour cream
11 2 tablespoons whole milk
12 1 tablespoon lime juice
13 1 teaspoon garlic powder
14 ½ teaspoon onion powder
15 ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
16 ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Step 01

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook al dente according to the package directions. Drain the pasta, rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process, and let it drain again thoroughly. Transfer the cooled pasta to a large pasta bowl.

Step 02

To the pasta, add the avocado, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño. Toss gently to combine, being careful not to mash the avocado.

Step 03

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle powder, and salt until smooth and creamy.

Step 04

Pour the dressing over the pasta salad. Toss until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.

Step 05

Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.

Step 06

Before serving, garnish with more chopped cilantro.

Notes

  1. Chilling the pasta salad helps the flavors meld together better.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large bowl
  • Medium bowl
  • Whisk

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (mayonnaise, sour cream, milk)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 345.5
  • Total Fat: 17.8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42.3 g
  • Protein: 8.6 g