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Mexican Macaroni Salad Recipe Recipe

Mexican Macaroni Salad Recipe

This Mexican Macaroni Salad is a fresh and vibrant twist on a classic, combining colorful vegetables with a creamy, zesty dressing.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Macaroni Salad
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni gluten-free if needed
  • 2 ears fresh corn canned or frozen and thawed work
  • 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes quartered
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 0.5 medium red onion finely chopped
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño seeded and finely diced
Dressing
  • 0.75 cup Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
  • 0.33 cup sour cream
  • 1 lime juiced (3 Tablespoons), plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Grill
  • Large Bowl

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
  2. Heat an indoor or outdoor grill over high heat and brush the corn with oil. Cook the ears of corn for a few minutes on each side until it starts to brown. Alternately, roast at 425 for 12-15 minutes. Cool and cut the kernels off the cobs.
  3. Mix all of the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl or blender while the pasta cooks.
  4. Combine the cooled pasta in a large bowl with the remaining pasta salad ingredients. Pour the dressing on top and toss to coat evenly.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes if possible, but serving at room temperature works too. Taste and add more salt or lime juice as needed. Top with fresh chopped cilantro and sliced jalapeño before serving.

Notes

This salad is perfect for summer gatherings or as a side dish. Feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less jalapeño, and customize the dressing with your favorite herbs.