Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad is a fun twist on the classic Cowboy Caviar, a Tex-Mex appetizer made with black-eyed peas, corn, and peppers. This pasta version combines orzo pasta, bell peppers, red onion, cilantro, black beans, and corn, all tossed in a delicious lime and olive oil dressing.
Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad
Are you looking for a new and exciting pasta salad recipe to add to your dinner rotation? This Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad is the one! This dish is not only packed with delicious flavors and fresh ingredients, but it’s also easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
Perfectly cooked orzo pasta mixed with the crunch of bell peppers, the sweetness of corn, the creaminess of black beans, and the freshness of cilantro– all tossed in a tangy and zesty lime and olive oil dressing.
Plus, you can make this salad in advance, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners, potlucks, or summer BBQs. So, if you’re looking for a pasta salad recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds, give this one a try.
Let’s Talk Pasta
- Orzo pasta is a type of short-cut pasta shaped like a grain of rice. It is made from durum wheat semolina and can be used in salads, soups, and as a side dish. (See some of our favorite recipes using orzo here!)
- Salt the pasta water while boiling to enhance flavor and maintain texture. This will improve the overall taste of the Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad.
- It’s important not to rinse the pasta after cooking, because the starch on the pasta will help the dressing to stick to the pasta; it also helps the texture. Rinsing the pasta washes away the starch that we need for the final dish.
- To quickly cool down the pasta, transfer to a large bowl, toss it with some of the dressing, and then pop it in the fridge. This will stop the cooking process and bring the temperature of the pasta down quickly.
- Make sure to cool the pasta before adding the other ingredients: This will help to prevent the pasta from becoming soggy and will help the veggies to stay crisp.
Tips To Make The Best Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad
- Make the dressing in advance: This allows the flavors to meld and intensify, boosting overall flavor.
- Use fresh ingredients: The key to this pasta salad is to use fresh ingredients and good produce. The better the ingredients, the better the flavor!
- Use different-colored bell peppers: Using both red and green bell peppers (along with yellow ones, too) will give the salad a nice pop of color and deliver slightly different flavors.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed: Taste the salad before serving and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. The flavors should sing!
- Be mindful of how much dressing you use: The pasta salad should be moist, but not overdressed. You can always add more dressing as needed.
- Be gentle when tossing the salad: Toss the salad with care– this will help keep the ingredients together and prevent the pasta from breaking.
Variations
Change Up Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad
- Add a creamy element: We love adding a ripe diced avocado into this salad!
- Add some (more) protein: To make this pasta salad a complete meal, you can add some protein such as Grilled Chicken, shrimp, or even more black beans!
- Try different beans: Instead of using black beans, you can experiment with different types of beans such as black-eyed peas(traditional in Cowboy Caviar), navy beans, cannellini beans, or pinto beans.
- Add some heat: For a spicy kick, you can add in some diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes.
- Use different herbs: If you aren’t a fan of cilantro, replace with chopped parsley or green onions.
- Try different pasta shapes: Instead of using orzo pasta, you can try using different (small) shapes like ditalini or pearl couscous.
- Use fresh corn: If you have access to fresh corn, add it in the salad right off the cob (or grill it first!).
The Perfect Finishing Touch: Cotija!
Cotija cheese is an ideal finishing touch for this Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad. It is a hard, crumbly cheese made from cow’s milk and aged for several months. It has a distinctive, salty, and nutty flavor that adds a delicious punch to the salad. We recommend serving the Cotija cheese on the side, allowing guests to sprinkle it on their own portion according to their preference. This way, they can enjoy the dish with the perfect balance of flavor and seasoning.
Storage
Make Ahead
Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad can be made in advance by preparing all the ingredients and the dressing separately. Cook the pasta, add 2 tablespoons of the dressing while still hot and refrigerate to cool. Then, dice the bell peppers, red onion, and cilantro, drain and rinse the black beans and corn. Store in a separate container. Prepare the dressing and store in another container. Before serving, combine pasta, vegetables and dressing. Gently toss, adjust seasoning and serve.
Storing Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad
This Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad is best the same day it is made. While it can be stored in the refrigerator, pasta salad can become soggy and lose its texture over time. If you do choose to store it, make sure to cover the pasta salad with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. Store for up to two days. When ready to serve, gently toss the pasta salad to redistribute the dressing. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
It’s important to note that this pasta salad does not freeze or thaw well. The pasta will become mushy and the dressing can separate and lose its flavor. It’s best to make the pasta salad as close to the time you plan to serve it as possible for the best taste and texture.
Serving Suggestions
- Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad is a great side dish for any BBQ or summer gathering. It pairs well with grilled meats such as chicken, pork, or beef, and can be served alongside other BBQ favorite side dishes like coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni salad, or broccoli salad.
- This pasta salad is also a great dish to serve with sandwiches, burgers, or even tacos.
- You can also serve this pasta salad alongside other Tex-Mex dishes such as tostadas, enchiladas, or even a burrito bowl.
More Pasta Salad Recipes:
- Greek Pasta Salad with a Greek salad dressing
- Asian Pasta Salad with mandarin oranges
- Taco Pasta Salad with taco-seasoned ground beef
- Teriyaki Chicken Salad with bowtie pasta
- BBQ Pasta Salad with BBQ pulled pork
Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked orzo pasta (Note 1)
- 2 bell peppers, diced (I use 1 red, 1 green)
- 3/4 cup finely diced red onion (1 small)
- 1 cup coarsely chopped cilantro (1 bunch)
- 1 can (15.5 oz) black beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 can (15.5 oz) corn, drained
- For serving: Cotija cheese (Note 2)
Dressing
- 1/3 cup fresh lime juice (plus 1 tsp zest)
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1-1/2 tablespoon each: honey and red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon each: paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder
- 2 tablespoons good mayo (like Hellman's/Best Foods)
- Fine sea salt and pepper
Instructions
- DRESSING: In a wide-mouth glass jar, combine all of the dressing ingredients. Season to taste (I add 1 tsp salt & 1/4 tsp pepper). Put the lid on the jar, shake to combine, and refrigerate while preparing the salad. Shake again before adding to the salad.
- PASTA: Prepare the pasta according to package instructions in well-salted water. (I add 1 tsp salt for every 4 cups of water.) Drain the pasta, but do not rinse under cold water. Add to a large bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons of the dressing. Cover and place in the fridge to fully cool.
- SALAD: Dice bell peppers and onion. Coarsely chop cilantro. Drain and rinse black beans and corn. Add all these ingredients to the cooled pasta.
- SERVE: When ready to serve, drizzle the prepared dressing on the salad to preference. (We typically add most of it and then a bit more to moisten the salad as it settles.) Gently toss the salad. Adjust any seasonings (salt and pepper) to taste until the flavors sing! Enjoy!
Video
Recipe Notes
- Note that we're using 2 cups uncooked pasta, not an entire container!
- It is important to salt the pasta while it boils because it helps to flavor the pasta so the whole salad isn't under-seasoned.
- It's important not to rinse the pasta off after cooking because the starch on the pasta will help the dressing to stick to the pasta.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was absolutely delicious, definitely the star of family bbq dinner. Thank you!
YAYYY! So thrilled to hear this!