Mexican Macaroni Salad

Elevate your summer gatherings with this vibrant and creamy Mexican Macaroni Salad, a flavorful twist on the classic potluck favorite! Packed with tender elbow macaroni, hearty black beans, sweet corn, zesty red bell peppers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a kick of fresh cilantro, this dish bursts with bold Tex-Mex flavors. The rich, tangy dressing—featuring mayonnaise, sour cream, freshly squeezed lime juice, and a medley of spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika—brings the salad to life, perfectly tying together every bite. Customize it with a spicy kick by adding jalapeños, or keep it mild for all palates. Ready in just 30 minutes and easily made ahead, this chilled macaroni salad is a crowd-pleaser that's perfect for barbecues, picnics, or any meal that calls for a refreshing, satisfying side dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup corn kernels, cooked or canned (drained)
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 0.5 cup red onion, finely diced
• 0.25 cup cilantro, chopped
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 0.25 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 0.5 tsp ground cumin
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.25 tsp paprika
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, rinse with cold water, and let it cool completely.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled macaroni, black beans, corn, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. If desired, add the minced jalapeño for extra heat.

Step 3

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.

Step 4

Pour the dressing over the macaroni mixture and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Serve chilled or at room temperature, garnished with extra cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1348.9 grams (1348.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2439

Total Fat 107.70g	138%
Saturated Fat 16.20g	81%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 146mg	49%
Sodium 2045mg	89%
Total Carbohydrate 318.20g	116%
Dietary Fiber 37.90g	135%
Total Sugars 36.30g
Protein 62.00g	124%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 273mg	21%
Iron 17mg	97%
Potassium 2036mg	43%

*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: 38.9%

Protein: 10.0%

Carbs: 51.1%