Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad

This Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad is the perfect summer dish that bursts with fresh, tangy, and creamy flavors in every bite. With a medley of vibrant ingredients like juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp corn, creamy avocado, and a zingy lime-cilantro dressing, it’s both refreshing and satisfying.

Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, prepping weekday lunches, or just craving something light yet flavorful, this salad comes together quickly and disappears even faster. Best of all, it can be made ahead and tastes even better as the flavors meld. Try it once and it’ll become a warm-weather favorite in your kitchen!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 12 oz rotini pasta

• 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 avocado, diced

• 1/4 red onion, finely chopped

• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

• 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese (optional)

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

For the Dressing:

• 1/3 cup olive oil

• Juice and zest of 2 limes

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1/2 teaspoon cumin

• Salt, to taste

Directions:

1. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to cool.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, honey, garlic, cumin, and salt to make the dressing.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, corn, cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion, and cilantro.

4. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.

5. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

6. Top with crumbled cotija cheese if using.

7. Chill for at least 15–30 minutes before serving for best flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 340 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

Why Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad is a Must-Try Dish This Season

Pasta salad is one of those dishes that effortlessly blends convenience, versatility, and vibrant flavor in a single bowl. But if you’re looking for something beyond the usual mayo-heavy varieties or Italian dressing spins, this Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad might just become your new obsession. It’s bright, zesty, refreshing, and has a southwestern flair that keeps every bite interesting. This salad is a fantastic addition to your summer cookout menu, weekday meal prep, or as a light main course on warm days. Here’s why this particular pasta salad deserves a permanent place in your recipe rotation.

A Flavor-Packed Twist on Classic Pasta Salad

What makes this dish stand out is its unique flavor profile. Instead of leaning on creamy dressings or balsamic-based vinaigrettes, it features a citrusy lime and olive oil dressing balanced with honey, garlic, and cumin. This adds a tangy, slightly sweet, and earthy character to the pasta without overwhelming it. The cilantro adds an unmistakable herbal freshness, giving each forkful a garden-bright finish.

Couple that with the textural play of crisp corn, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, and tender pasta, and you have a salad that’s both refreshing and filling. It doesn’t just act as a side dish it can truly hold its own as a main.

Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals

Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad is an excellent option if you’re into meal prepping or planning ahead for gatherings. The pasta and dressing actually improve in flavor after sitting together for a few hours in the fridge, as the ingredients have time to marry. That means you can whip it up in the morning (or even the night before) and it’ll be at peak flavor when it’s time to eat.

You can serve it chilled or at room temperature, which makes it ideal for potlucks, picnics, and outdoor events where refrigeration might not be readily available. It also transports well, especially if you leave the avocado out until serving to keep it from browning.

Ideal for Cookouts, BBQs & Family Gatherings

During summer, when the grills are fired up and the sides start flowing, pasta salads often make a prominent appearance. But many of them are cream-heavy, which can be too rich or too prone to spoiling when left out in the sun.

This dairy-light (or dairy-free if you omit the cotija cheese) recipe sidesteps that issue entirely. The lime-based dressing is fresh, light, and safe to sit out longer than its mayonnaise counterparts. Plus, it pairs beautifully with grilled proteins like chicken, shrimp, or steak, making it an all-around crowd-pleaser. Serve it next to burgers, tacos, grilled vegetables, or even wraps, and watch it disappear from the bowl before anything else.

Customizable to Your Taste

Another major benefit of this dish is how easily it can be adapted to suit different dietary needs or preferences. Want to make it vegan? Skip the cotija cheese or replace it with a vegan cheese crumble. Looking for a gluten-free option? Just substitute the rotini with gluten-free pasta, and you’re good to go.

You can also mix in additional ingredients based on what you have on hand. Some popular customizations include:

• Black beans or chickpeas for added protein and fiber

• Diced bell peppers for extra crunch and color

• Jalapeños or chili flakes for a spicier version

• Queso fresco as an alternative to cotija cheese

• Shredded rotisserie chicken for a more filling entrée

This kind of flexibility makes it easy to make the dish your own while sticking to the core flavor theme of lime and cilantro.

Packed with Nutrients and Wholesome Ingredients

Despite being simple to make, this salad is full of nutrient-dense ingredients. Let’s break down some of its star components:

• Avocados bring in healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, and potassium. They’re excellent for heart health and give the salad its creamy element without dairy.

• Cherry tomatoes are rich in antioxidants like lycopene and provide vitamin C and hydration.

• Corn adds natural sweetness and fiber. When using fresh corn (either grilled or boiled), it adds even more depth.

• Cilantro isn’t just a garnish it’s known for its detoxifying properties and high levels of antioxidants.

• Lime juice and zest are a great source of vitamin C and add brightness to every bite.

Combined with whole-grain pasta or protein-rich pasta varieties (like lentil or chickpea pasta), this can be a well-balanced, complete meal.

Storage and Leftover Tips

This salad stores well for 3–4 days in the refrigerator. The best practice is to store it in an airtight container, and if you’re making it ahead, consider keeping the avocado and cheese separate until just before serving. This prevents the avocado from browning and keeps the salad tasting fresher.

If the salad dries out a bit in the fridge (which can happen as the pasta absorbs the dressing), you can revive it with a splash of olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lime juice before serving.

You can also use leftovers creatively try:

• Stuffing it in a wrap with greens and grilled chicken for a Tex-Mex style lunch

• Serving it over a bed of arugula or spinach for a fuller salad meal

• Pairing it with a fried egg on top for a savory brunch option

Conclusion: A Flavorful, Versatile Salad That Stands Out

Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad is more than just a side dish it’s a celebration of fresh ingredients and bold flavor. From its creamy avocado chunks to its citrusy zing, this salad brings energy and brightness to any table. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week, feeding a crowd at a barbecue, or simply looking for something fresh to break up your lunch routine, this recipe delivers.

Its versatility is unmatched: it’s easy to tweak for dietary needs, forgiving with substitutions, and customizable with your favorite ingredients. It stores well, travels well, and most importantly tastes amazing. If you’re looking for a recipe that’s light yet satisfying, colorful yet wholesome, and bold yet balanced, Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad checks every box