Firecracker Pasta Salad

Bursting with bold flavors and vibrant colors, Firecracker Pasta Salad is the ultimate side dish for summer gatherings, potlucks, or meal prep. This zesty, Southwest-inspired pasta salad features tender rotini pasta tossed with a medley of fresh vegetables, including sweet corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, and a spicy kick from diced jalapeño. The homemade dressing, made with lime juice, olive oil, and a smoky blend of chili powder, paprika, and cumin, ties everything together with a tangy, slightly fiery flair. Finished with a sprinkle of crumbled Cotija or feta cheese for a creamy, salty touch, this make-ahead recipe is an irresistible balance of spice, crunch, and zest. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a refreshing, flavor-packed option served chilled for any occasion! Keywords: Firecracker Pasta Salad, spicy pasta salad, Southwest pasta salad, summer side dish, make-ahead salad.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz Rotini pasta
• 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 Yellow bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 cup Red onion, finely diced
• 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 cup Sweet corn (canned or fresh), drained
• 1 cup Black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 Jalapeño, finely diced
• 0.25 cup Lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 3 tbsp Olive oil
• 1.5 tsp Chili powder
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 0.5 tsp Cumin
• 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper
• 0.25 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 0.5 cup Cotija or feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool it down completely. Set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the bell pepper, finely dice the red onion, chop the cilantro, and dice the jalapeño.

Step 3

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) to make the dressing.

Step 4

In a large salad bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, corn, black beans, jalapeño, and cilantro.

Step 5

Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss well to coat all the ingredients evenly.

Step 6

If desired, sprinkle crumbled Cotija or feta cheese on top for extra flavor.

Step 7

Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1578.3 grams (1578.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2712

Total Fat 88.40g	113%
Saturated Fat 28.70g	144%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 107mg	36%
Sodium 4739mg	206%
Total Carbohydrate 389.80g	142%
Dietary Fiber 44.70g	160%
Total Sugars 44.70g
Protein 94.10g	188%

Vitamin D 26IU	128%
Calcium 981mg	75%
Iron 24mg	131%
Potassium 3364mg	72%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 29.1%

Protein: 13.8%

Carbs: 57.1%