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Enjoy this cilantro lime pasta salad recipe whenever you are craving a medley of fresh flavors and veggies. This creamy pasta salad recipe is made with freshly soft avocado, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and tender pasta for the best possible flavors.
You may also love my creamy tuna pasta salad or my taco pasta salad.
This fresh and delicious, lime pasta salad is made with a bright and creamy cilantro lime dressing that brings this recipe to a whole new level. So easy to make within minutes, you’ll love this cilantro, lime pasta salad recipe whenever you’re craving something fresh and quick.
Made with fresh juicy tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro with a little heat from jalapeño, you’ll crave this lime-infused pasta salad all summer long. Delicious served at room temperature or chilled–you’ll want both!
Recipe summary
Here are some of the things that make this easy pasta salad recipe so special. Have something to share? Be sure to leave a comment below!
- Easy to make: Just assemble everything and toss. The cilantro lime dressing is ready in minutes and takes no time to coat the salad.
- Filled with fresh flavors: The fresh veggies give this recipe plenty of bright flavors that make this cilantro lime pasta salad shine.
- Delicious and filling: Bold cilantro combined with yogurt to create a creamy tangy dressing that makes the salad extra yummy. The pasta absorbs the dressing and flavors from the veggies to create a combination that is so satisfying.
Ingredients you will need
Here are the ingredients for this avocado, lime, and pasta salad recipe. You can find these items at most grocery stores or farmers’ markets.
Short pasta: You can use eight ounces of any type of short pasta you prefer. Some examples include penne, rigatoni, farfalle, orecchiette, etc.
Greek yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt is used to create the dressing and gives it its creamy textures and flavors. Be sure to use plain yogurt.
Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice gives the dressing the boldness it needs. Tart, light, and filled with bright citrus flavors.
Cilantro: Fresh leafy cilantro is used for both the dressing and salad bases. Cilantro is the key element to this pasta salad recipe.
Garlic: Robust garlic cloves are used in the dressing and give it plenty of pungent and savory flavors. You can use garlic powder if you’re in a pinch.
Tomatoes: Halved cherry tomatoes provide texture and fresh flavors throughout the cilantro and lime pasta salad. If you do not have cherry tomatoes, then any kind of tomato will work–just be sure it is ripe.
Jalapeño: You can use one to two jalapeños depending on how spicy you’d like the salad to be. If you’re not a fan of spicy foods, then omit the jalapeño or use only one.
Green onions: Chopped green onions provide extra fresh flavors and allow the salad to be zesty.
Avocado: Soft avocado is lightly tossed throughout the salad and provides more creamy textures that are fresh and uplifting. Be sure to use an avocado that is soft but not too soft.
How to Make Cilantro Pasta Salad
Follow these easy steps to create the best, cilantro lime pasta salad recipe. You will love this salad!
First, cook the pasta in salted water according to the package’s instructions. Drain the pasta and allow it to cool before combining it with the other ingredients.
Next, add Greek yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, and garlic to a food processor or high-speed blender until completely smooth. You want the dressing well-blended and light.
Place the chopped tomatoes, jalapeño, green onions, chopped cilantro, avocado, and cooled pasta in a large bowl.
Next, drizzle the ingredients with the freshly made dressing and toss to combine.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Be sure to use fresh ingredients for the best flavors.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two to three days. Feel free to add the avocado just before serving if you’re preparing this salad ahead.
- Season with salt and pepper if you need to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Fresh cilantro transforms pasta salad and gives it another layer of fresh flavor.
Yes, you should always rinse the hot pasta with cool running water to cool it down prior to adding it to the recipe.
If you’re in a time crunch or just want to prepare ahead, this pasta salad tastes extra delicious made the night before.
Although some pasta salad recipes can be frozen, I do not recommend freezing this pasta salad recipe.
What to serve it with
Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy this cilantro and lime, pasta salad recipe:
- Grilled Chicken Wraps
- Grilled Chicken Sandwich
- Cucumber Onion Salad Recipe
- Spinach and Feta Cheese Turkey Burgers
- Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Burger
More Salad Recipes
- Italian Pasta Salad
- Mediterranean Chopped Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
- Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe
- Easy Grape Salad
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Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad Recipe With Avocado
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta, short pasta of choice
- 1 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped; divided
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1-2 jalapeño peppers, thinly sliced
- 2 avocados , diced
Dressing Ingredients
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Drain andallow it to cool.
- Meanwhile, add all the dressing ingredients to your food processor and pulse until smooth.
- Place the tomatoes, jalapeno, green onions, cilantro, avocado, and cooled pasta in a large serving bowl.
- Drizzle with the dressing and toss to combine.
Video
Notes
- Be sure to use fresh ingredients for the best flavors.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two to three days. Feel free to add the avocado just before serving if you’re preparing this salad ahead.
- Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
- Add protein: consider adding grilled chicken or shrimp to this pasta salad
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How much is a bunch of cilantro? Bunches are all different sizes. How many cups, or something like that?
Half cup of the leaves would be ideal once you have picked them. I love cilantro and always add too much haha
I tried this and it’s really good! But, I gave it 4 stars because the instructions are a little vague. It talks about blending the dressing ingredients together, but it doesn’t clearly delineate which ingredients are for the dressing. One just has to guess. Also, it completely overlooked the green onions in the ingredients. All of a sudden, the instructions are talking about adding green onions with the other salad ingredients.
Hi. Sorry about the confusion. I will look through it and reorganize it
Sounds delightful! Can we get a complete recipe? Thanks!
Hi Jon. The recipe is posted. Please scroll down to the very bottom and see the recipe card