Description
This vibrant Mexican Macaroni Salad features tender elbow macaroni combined with fresh vegetables and a zesty, creamy lime dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish, it brings bold flavors of cumin and chili powder with a hint of citrus, making it ideal for summer gatherings or as a tasty potluck contribution.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Macaroni: Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta and stop the cooking process.
- Combine Vegetables: In a large bowl, add the cooked macaroni, corn kernels, black beans, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped cilantro. Mix gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Ensure the dressing is smooth and well blended.
- Toss Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the macaroni and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly but gently until everything is evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly before serving.
- Serve: Serve the macaroni salad chilled, garnished with extra chopped cilantro if desired for added freshness and color.
Notes
- For best texture, avoid overcooking the macaroni; it should be firm to the bite.
- Using fresh lime juice enhances the zesty flavor, but bottled lime juice can be used as a substitute.
- This salad can be prepared a day in advance to deepen the flavor.
- Feel free to add diced avocado or jalapeño for extra creaminess or heat.
- Make sure to rinse the macaroni under cold water to prevent clumping and to cool it quickly.
