Healthy Mexican Corn Pasta Recipe
A fresh and healthier take on Mexican corn pasta featuring a colorful mix of sweet corn, bell peppers, black beans, and zesty lime, tossed together with cheese and cilantro for a quick and nutritious meal.
- Author: Lila
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegetarian
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (penne or fusilli recommended)
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Vegetables: While pasta is cooking, dice the bell pepper, chop the cilantro, and drain and rinse the black beans if canned.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with corn, diced bell pepper, black beans, and chopped cilantro. Add the shredded cheese on top.
- Add Lime and Seasonings: Drizzle lime juice over the mixture, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and add olive oil if using. Toss everything together gently to combine all the flavors.
- Serve: Serve immediately while the cheese is slightly melted or chilled if preferred as a pasta salad.
Notes
- Use fresh corn for a sweeter taste or frozen corn when fresh is unavailable.
- Cheese choice can be adjusted to preference; feta or cotija works well for a more authentic Mexican flavor.
- This dish can be enjoyed warm or cold as a pasta salad.
- Adding avocado slices or a sprinkle of chili powder enhances the flavor profile.
Keywords: Mexican corn pasta, healthy pasta recipe, vegetarian Mexican pasta, corn pasta salad, quick pasta dish