Description

This Fresh & Healthy Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad is a vibrant and creamy dish perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing side. Featuring a super creamy Greek Yogurt Avocado dressing loaded with cilantro and lime, this salad combines cooked pasta, chickpeas, corn, cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese for a well-balanced, flavorful meal that’s quick to prepare and delightfully satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale

Dressing

1 batch Greek Yogurt Avocado Salad Dressing (double the cilantro and omit parsley)

Salad

375g box short pasta (rotini, fusilli, or penne), cooked according to package directions
1 can (19 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 can (12 oz) corn, drained and rinsed
1 medium cucumber, chopped
1 small red onion, diced
1/2 cup feta cheese or cotija cheese, crumbled
Cilantro leaves (optional, for garnish)
Lime juice (optional, to squeeze on top)

Instructions

Make the Dressing: Blitz all cilantro lime dressing ingredients together in a blender or food processor until smooth and creamy. Set aside for later use.
Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooked and cooled pasta, drained chickpeas, drained corn, chopped cucumber, and diced red onion.
Add Dressing: Drizzle the prepared cilantro lime dressing over the mixed salad ingredients, then toss thoroughly until everything is well-coated with the creamy dressing.
Incorporate Cheese: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly on top of the salad and gently toss again to incorporate the cheese without breaking it down too much.
Garnish and Serve: Serve the salad garnished with fresh cilantro leaves and an optional squeeze of fresh lime juice for added brightness. Enjoy immediately or chill for later.

Notes

Use short pasta shapes like rotini, fusilli, or penne for the best texture and coating of the dressing.
The salad can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours; toss again before serving.
For a vegan version, substitute Greek yogurt dressing with a plant-based yogurt alternative and omit feta cheese.
Add extra lime juice or cilantro for more vibrant flavor if desired.
Ensure chickpeas and corn are well rinsed to avoid excess sodium from canned liquids.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: cilantro lime pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, vegetarian pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, avocado yogurt dressing, summer salad