Southwest Jalapeño Pesto Pasta Salad

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This Southwest Pasta Salad is great for potlucks, parties, BBQ’s, and easy meals! It is a summer favorite!

Course Main, Salad

Cuisine American, Southwestern

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Total Time 30

Servings cups

Calories 278

Author Kim

Ingredients

Pasta salad

½ pound (8 ounces) whole grain bow-tie pasta or rotini or penne (use gluten-free pasta, if needed)
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained, or 1 ½ cups cooked black beans
2 medium (about 10 ounces) tomatoes, diced
½ cup fresh, canned or frozen corn kernels

Jalapeño pesto

1 cup lightly packed fresh parsley
1 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro
2 small jalapeños with seeds and membranes removed
1 medium lemon, juiced
1 medium garlic clove, halved
½ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup raw whole pine nuts or slivered almonds
1/3 cup avocado or olive oil
Ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Before draining, reserve about a cup of cooking water. Drain and return to pot. Set aside.
While pasta is cooking, make the pesto: combine all pesto ingredients in a food processor. Run the machine until mixture is well blended, stopping and scraping down the bowl as necessary.
Pour enough pesto into the pasta to lightly coat it once tossed (you might not quite need all of it). Add a small splash of pasta cooking water and toss well. Transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl and add the drained black beans, diced tomatoes, and corn. Stir until combined. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. This salad is best after it’s had a chance to marinate for about 30 minutes, but you can serve it right away if need be.

Notes

STORAGE SUGGESTIONS: This recipe keeps well for several days in the refrigerator, covered.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Leftovers are great served warm or chilled. One of my favorite ways to eat this salad is to add some leafy greens and a drizzle of lemony dressing.

TO SIMPLIFY THE RECIPE: Skip the pesto step and buy jarred pesto (any kind).

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