Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad – Fresh, Zesty & Perfect for Summer

A vibrant pasta salad bursting with bright lime, fresh cilantro, crunchy veggies, and tender pasta—perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or a refreshing lunch!

🎉 Introduction

This Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad is everything you want in a summer side: crisp, creamy, and bursting with flavor. Zesty lime and fresh cilantro bring a Mexican-inspired twist, while tender pasta, crunchy bell peppers, and a creamy dressing make it satisfying and crave-worthy. Serve it with grilled chicken, tacos, or enjoy it as a stand-alone dish. 🌿🍋

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large pot for pasta
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk or jar for dressing
• Cutting board & knife
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Colander

🛒 Ingredients

🥗 Salad

• 3 cups cooked pasta (rotini, penne, or farfalle)
• 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup red onion, finely diced
• ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

🍋 Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

• ½ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tbsp lime zest
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Cook & Cool the Pasta

1. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water.
2. Set aside to cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

1. In a bowl or jar, whisk together mayo, sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

1. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, bell pepper, corn, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro.
2. Pour dressing over salad and toss until everything is well coated.

Step 4: Chill & Serve

• Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld.
• Serve chilled, garnished with extra cilantro or lime wedges.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 6–8
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: ~25 minutes

🥄 Variations

• Protein Boost: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or black beans
• Spicy Kick: Stir in diced jalapeño or hot sauce
• Avocado: Add diced avocado just before serving for creaminess
• Vegan: Use vegan mayo and skip sour cream or sub with plant-based yogurt
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 4 days
• Make Ahead: Prepare dressing and pasta separately; combine before serving

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Can I use bottled lime juice?
   Fresh lime juice gives the best flavor.
2. What pasta shapes work best?
   Rotini, penne, or farfalle hold dressing well.
3. Can I skip cilantro?
   Yes—sub with parsley or leave out.
4. How do I keep pasta from clumping?
   Rinse with cold water and toss with a little olive oil.
5. Can I serve it warm?
   It’s best chilled, but works at room temp.
6. Is this kid-friendly?
   Yes—mild flavors are great for kids.
7. Can I double the recipe?
   Absolutely—perfect for feeding a crowd.
8. What pairs well?
   Grilled meats, tacos, or quesadillas.
9. Can I freeze it?
   No—texture will be compromised.
10. What if I don’t like creamy dressings?
    Use a vinaigrette: olive oil, lime juice, cumin, and cilantro.

🏁 Conclusion

This Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad is fresh, zesty, and packed with texture—perfect for warm-weather meals, parties, or a quick lunch. Creamy, bright, and utterly satisfying, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! 🌿🍋🥗

Adam

Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad – Fresh, Zesty & Perfect for Summer

A vibrant pasta salad bursting with bright lime, fresh cilantro, crunchy veggies, and tender pasta—perfect for BBQs, potlucks, or a refreshing lunch! 🎉 Introduction This Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad is everything you want in a summer side: crisp, creamy, and bursting with flavor. Zesty lime and fresh cilantro bring a Mexican-inspired twist, while tender pasta, crunchy bell peppers, and a creamy dressing make it satisfying and crave-worthy. Serve it with grilled chicken, tacos, or enjoy it as a stand-alone dish. 🌿🍋

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

🥗 Salad

• 3 cups cooked pasta rotini, penne, or farfalle
• 1 cup red bell pepper diced
• 1 cup corn fresh, frozen, or canned
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• ½ cup red onion finely diced
• ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped

🍋 Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

• ½ cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 tbsp lime zest
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Equipment

• Large pot (for pasta)
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk or jar for dressing
• Cutting board & knife
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Colander

Method

 

Step 1: Cook & Cool the Pasta

1. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water.
2. Set aside to cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

1. In a bowl or jar, whisk together mayo, sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

1. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, bell pepper, corn, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro.
2. Pour dressing over salad and toss until everything is well coated.

Step 4: Chill & Serve

1. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld.
2. Serve chilled, garnished with extra cilantro or lime wedges.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Protein Boost: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or black beans

Spicy Kick: Stir in diced jalapeño or hot sauce

Avocado: Add diced avocado just before serving for creaminess

Vegan: Use vegan mayo and skip sour cream or sub with plant-based yogurt

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead
Fridge: Store in an airtight container up to 4 days

Make Ahead: Prepare dressing and pasta separately; combine before serving

❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use bottled lime juice?
Fresh lime juice gives the best flavor.

What pasta shapes work best?
Rotini, penne, or farfalle hold dressing well.

Can I skip cilantro?
Yes—sub with parsley or leave out.

How do I keep pasta from clumping?
Rinse with cold water and toss with a little olive oil.

Can I serve it warm?
It’s best chilled, but works at room temp.

Is this kid-friendly?
Yes—mild flavors are great for kids.

Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely—perfect for feeding a crowd.

What pairs well?
Grilled meats, tacos, or quesadillas.

Can I freeze it?
No—texture will be compromised.

What if I don’t like creamy dressings?
Use a vinaigrette: olive oil, lime juice, cumin, and cilantro.

🏁 Conclusion
This Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad is fresh, zesty, and packed with texture—perfect for warm-weather meals, parties, or a quick lunch. Creamy, bright, and utterly satisfying, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! 🌿🍋🥗