Creamy Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad with Avocado and Sweet Corn
What I love the most about spring and summer are the get-togethers—making pasta salads, pitchers of fresh juice, or cold teas like this cherry ginger iced tea. And this creamy cilantro lime pasta salad is perfect for cookouts! It’s a cold pasta salad that goes well with just about any protein.
The fusilli pasta holds onto the zesty cilantro lime dressing, while diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, and red onion add the perfect mix of textures.
It’s great for meal prep, summer barbecues, or just an easy side dish to keep in the fridge.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy and fresh – The sauce brings everything together.
- Great for meal prep – Stays good in the fridge.
- Pairs well with grilled chicken or shrimp – Works as a side or a main dish.
Equipment List
Cutting board – For chopping veggies.
Sharp knife – To dice avocado and slice tomatoes.
Large pot – For boiling pasta.
Strainer – To drain pasta.
Small bowl – To soak the onion in lime juice.
Mixing bowl – To mix the dressing.
Measuring cups & spoons – For the dressing.
Ingredients You’ll Need (With Substitutions)
This pasta salad is made with fusilli pasta, which holds onto the sauce in every bite. The creamy cilantro lime dressing is tangy and smooth, balancing out the sweetness from the corn and the richness of the avocado. Cherry tomatoes add juiciness, while red onion gives it a little sharpness.
For the Salad:
- Fusilli pasta – Twists hold the dressing really well. Rotini or bowtie pasta work too.
- Cherry tomatoes – Halved for a little sweetness. Roma or grape tomatoes work too.
- Red onion – Minced and soaked in lime juice to mellow the flavor. Green onions are a milder option.
- Frozen sweet corn – Cooks up quickly and adds a little sweetness.
For the Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing:
- Salt & black pepper – Just enough to bring it all together.
- Avocado – Diced and mixed with lime juice before adding to the dressing.
- Fresh cilantro – Chopped well for even flavor. Not a fan? Try parsley instead.
- Lime juice – Freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
- Greek yogurt – Makes the dressing creamy. Sour cream works too.
- Sour cream – Balances out the tang from the lime.
How I Make It (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Step 1: Cook and Cool the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the fusilli pasta until al dente. Drain the pasta using a colander or pasta drainer, then immediately add ice cubes to the pasta to stop it from continuing to cook. Once the pasta is cool, drain any remaining ice and water.
Pasta Tip: How To Stop The Pasta From Becoming Mushy
After draining, immediately toss ice cubes into the pasta to cool it down quickly and stop it from continuing to cook. Once the pasta is cool, drain off any excess water and ice before mixing with the other ingredients.
Step 2: Cook and Cool the Corn
Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the frozen sweet corn, and cook for 6-8 minutes. Drain and let it cool before adding to the salad.
Step 3: Soften the Onion in Lime Juice
Finely mince the red onion and place it in a small bowl with a little lime juice. Let it sit for a few minutes to mellow out the sharp bite and soften the flavor.
Step 4: Prep the Tomatoes
Rinse the cherry tomatoes under cold water, pat them dry, and cut them in half.
Step 5: Make the Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
Dice the avocado and place it in a mixing bowl. Pour the lime juice over it and toss to coat. Stir in the chopped cilantro, Greek yogurt, sour cream, salt, and black pepper until well combined and creamy.
Step 6: Mix It All Together
In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cooked corn, and softened red onion with lime juice. Pour the creamy avocado cilantro lime dressing over the top and mix until everything is well coated.
Step 7: Serve or Let It Sit
Serve immediately or refrigerate for 15 minutes to let the flavors blend.
Tips
Use ripe avocados – They should be soft but not mushy.
Let the pasta cool – Mixing everything while hot will make the sauce too thin.
Chill before serving – The flavors get even better after sitting in the fridge.
Other Great Cookout Recipes
This creamy cilantro lime pasta salad is perfect for a cookout! Here are some other great dishes to serve alongside it:
- Loaded Chicken Fajita Bowl – Fajita-seasoned chicken with sautéed peppers and onions, served with fresh toppings that work well with this dish.
- Mexican Street Corn Off the Cob – A creamy, smoky, and tangy corn dish that’s always a hit.
- Peruvian Chicken with Aji Verde – Juicy, spiced Peruvian-style chicken served with a bold, herby green sauce that complements the bright flavors of this pasta salad.
- Healthy Turkey Taco Bowl – A protein-packed taco bowl with fresh toppings that balance the cool, creamy flavors of this pasta salad.
- Cajun Sausage and Rice – Bold, smoky, and a little spicy, this one-skillet meal adds a warm contrast to the refreshing pasta salad.
- Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl – Grilled chicken, roasted corn, and rice served with a creamy sauce—great for a full meal alongside this salad.
- Crispy Baked Ground Beef Tacos – Crunchy, cheesy tacos loaded with seasoned ground beef, perfect with a cool, creamy side like this pasta salad.
If You Like This, Then You’ll Love:
If you liked this Creamy Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad, here are more fresh and easy salads from the blog:
- Arugula Pasta Caesar Salad with Crispy Chickpeas – A fresh take on Caesar salad with arugula, pasta, and crispy chickpeas.
- Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad with Crispy Bacon and Garbanzos – A creamy, hearty pasta salad with ranch, bacon, and chickpeas.
- Big Mac Inspired Pasta Salad – All the flavors of a Big Mac in a fun pasta salad with a tangy dressing.
- 20-Minute Simple Black Bean Pasta Salad – A quick, protein-packed pasta salad with black beans and fresh veggies.
- 30-Minute Shrimp Pesto Pasta Salad – A light and herby shrimp pasta salad tossed with homemade pesto.
- 20-Minute Elote Pasta Salad – Inspired by Mexican street corn, this one’s creamy, tangy, and full of flavor.
- 20-Minute Shrimp Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad – A bright and zesty shrimp pasta salad with fresh cilantro and lime.
I love reading your comments, and I try to get to all of them! Have you made creamy cilantro lime pasta salad before? Let me know how you like to serve it!
Creamy Cilantro Lime Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook and Cool the Pasta – Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook fusilli pasta according to the package. Drain using a colander or pasta drainer, then immediately add ice cubes to the pasta to stop it from cooking further. Once the pasta is cool, drain off any extra water and ice.
- Cook and Cool the Corn – Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add frozen sweet corn and cook for 6-8 minutes. Drain and let it cool.
- Soften the Onion in Lime Juice – Mince the red onion and place it in a small bowl with lime juice. Let it sit for a few minutes to mellow out the sharpness.
- Prep the Tomatoes – Rinse the cherry tomatoes under cold water, pat them dry, and cut them in half.
- Make the Dressing – Dice the avocado and place it in a mixing bowl. Pour the lime juice over it and toss to coat. Stir in chopped cilantro, Greek yogurt, sour cream, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Mix It All Together – In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cooked corn, and softened red onion with lime juice. Pour the dressing over the top and mix until well coated.
- Serve or Chill – Serve immediately or refrigerate for 15 minutes to let the flavors blend.
