Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad – an easy pasta salad recipe for summer. Mix in corn, black beans, tomatoes and toss with a creamy avocado dressing. Great for potlucks, lunch or an easy dinner!
When you think about summer and side dishes, one thing comes to mind. At least in my head. Pasta Salad. It can be a Caesar Pasta Salad that is a mix of a traditional salad with pasta thrown in. Or can be something over the top. Like Taco Pasta Salad.
There is just something about a cold pasta salad that makes me happy in the summer. I like it for lunch during the week, to bring to a potluck or barbecue, or to even have for a light dinner. Really, it fits all meals and all occasions in the summer.
I love avocados. Homemade guacamole is one of my favorite things. I mean if I could have chips and guacamole every day I would be one happy girl. Throw in a margarita and I am even happier. So making a creamy avocado dressing for a pasta salad only seemed like a great idea!
I used black beans, tomatoes, corn, avocado, and red onions for the veggies in this pasta salad. I am not a fan of bell peppers, but those would add more color and crunch to this pasta salad recipe if you wanted. Any color would work!. Just toss with the avocado salad dressing and you have one crazy delicious pasta salad.
With summer around the corner, this creamy avocado pasta salad would be a hit to bring to any barbecue or potluck. Or to make on those hot nights when you don’t feel like turning on the oven. I like to make it at the beginning of the week and have it for lunches all week long. And when you can find fresh sweet corn and fresh tomatoes, this salad is even better!
If you can get your hands on fresh corn, Southwestern Corn Salad is so good when you have fresh sweet corn. There is just something about the dressing that pulls it all together. That salad has chunks of avocado, not like this avocado dressing in this. But still so good!
Creamy Avocado Pasta Salad - an easy pasta salad recipe for summer. Mix in corn, black beans, tomatoes and toss with a creamy avocado dressing. Great for potlucks, lunch or an easy dinner!
- 12 oz pasta , cooked according to the directions and cooled
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup grape tomatoes , sliced in half
- 1/2 cup red onion , diced
- 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
- 1 California Avocado , diced
- 1/2 lime
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 small California Avocados
- 3 Tbls plain Greek Yogurt (I used nonfat)
- 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 Tbls cilantro , chopped
- 2 Tbls green onions , chopped
- 1/2 jalapeno , minced
- 1 lime , juiced
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
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To make the Creamy Avocado Dressing, combine all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. You can also use a food processor.
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In a large bowl combine the pasta and all of the veggies. Toss with about 1/2-2/3 of the dressing. Season with the salt and pepper. Squeeze the 1/2 of a lime over the salad, and toss together. Add additional dressing if desired.
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Store the leftover dressing in the fridge for up to a week. Add additional buttermilk if it gets too thick.
Adapted from Two Peas & Their Pod
Other Recipes You Might Like:
Bacon, Corn & Avocado Pasta
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
BLT Pasta Salad
Caesar Pasta Salad
Pasta Salad with Summer Sausage & Grilled Veggies
Caprese Pasta Salad
Greek Pasta Salad
Middle Eastern Pasta Salad #Pastapalooza
Southwestern Chickpea Salad
Taco Pasta Salad Recipe
Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
Cranberry Apple Coleslaw
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This is sooo filled with goodness!
Tracey says
Ooooh, I bookmarked this when Maria posted it too! Love your version, this really is the perfect spring dish 🙂
Audra | The Baker Chick says
This sounds SO good- I love using avocado as a creamy dressing- so much better!
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste says
Avocado and pasta in one dish? Count me in!
Helene Dsouza says
Yum, your pasta salad sounds quite tempting. Time for dinner!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Love how creamy the avocado dressing is!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Love your cooking club! I wish I had more friends that were into doing that. But at the same time my schedule is crazy and it’s hard to plan something consistently.
Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie says
Avocados are the best! This sounds delicious 🙂
steph@stephsbitebybite says
This looks so perfect for this warmer weather that’s starting to come around!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction says
This sounds so good! Love avocado in pasta dishes!
Emily @ Life on Food says
This looks delicious. Not a huge fan of mayo so I don’t typically eat pasta salads. However, I would gladly take a bowlful of yours.
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Wow! This looks UN-believable, Erin. I am so making it soon!
Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says
Spectacular! Perfect for summer- or anytime for me! LOL
Grubarazzi says
I love your southwest kick to the pasta. Awesome!
Valerie says
I’m a Huge avocado fan too – this looks fabulous!!
Ramona says
What a great looking creamy pasta dish. I love the use of avocados here… a must try. 🙂
ashley - baker by nature says
Yes! I just made an avocado pasta salad last week. Tastes like heaven!
Liz says
Avocado dressing??!!! I’m sold!
Jennifer Blake says
I love that you not only used avocado in the salad but also for the dressing. Lip smacking goodness!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
You had me at avocado! YUM.
Jennifer Farley says
The creaminess of the avocado is perfect!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
I love avocados and I love pasta so this is perfect!