Tropical Black Bean Pasta Salad
Brighten up your meal with this refreshing Tropical Black Bean Pasta Salad! Bursting with colors and flavors, this dish combines tri-color spiral pasta with nutritious black beans, vibrant vegetables, and sweet pineapple chunks. It's a delightful balance of tangy and sweet, making it perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or a light lunch. Prepare it a day in advance to allow the flavors to meld, and enjoy a tropical escape in every bite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
tri-color spiral pasta
8 ounces (uncooked)
frozen peas and carrots
10 ounces
pineapple chunks in juice
20 ounces (drained, reserve 1/2 cup juice)
black beans
1 can (15 ounces) (drained and rinsed)
red bell pepper
1 cup (sliced thin and cut into thirds)
green onion
1/2 cup (thinly sliced)
oranges
2 large (peeled, sectioned, cut sections into thirds)
orange juice
1/2 cup
wine vinegar
2 tablespoons (or more to taste)
honey
2 teaspoons
dried basil
2 teaspoons
orange zest
1 teaspoon
garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tri-color spiral pasta according to package directions, only until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
2
While the pasta cooks, place the frozen peas and carrots in a colander. Once the pasta is done, pour it over the peas and carrots in the colander. Allow the heat from the pasta to lightly cook the vegetables.
3
Transfer the pasta and vegetable mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add the drained pineapple chunks, rinsed black beans, sliced red bell pepper, thinly sliced green onions, and orange sections. Gently toss all ingredients together until evenly distributed.
4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the reserved pineapple juice, orange juice, wine vinegar, honey, dried basil, orange zest, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper until well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
5
Pour the dressing over the pasta salad mixture and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
6
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, refrigerate, and allow the salad to chill overnight for at least 8 hours, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tropical Black Bean Pasta Salad?
It is a refreshing and colorful dish that combines tri-color spiral pasta with nutritious black beans, vibrant vegetables, and sweet pineapple chunks in a citrus-based dressing.
What kind of pasta should I use for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of uncooked tri-color spiral pasta.
How do I cook the pasta correctly?
Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water until it is al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking.
Do I need to cook the frozen peas and carrots separately?
No, you can place the frozen peas and carrots in a colander and pour the hot cooked pasta over them to lightly cook the vegetables.
What type of beans are included in this salad?
The recipe uses one 15-ounce can of black beans that have been drained and rinsed.
How do I prepare the pineapple for this dish?
Use a 20-ounce can of pineapple chunks in juice. Drain the chunks but reserve 1/2 cup of the juice for the dressing.
How should the red bell pepper be cut?
The red bell pepper should be sliced thin and then cut into thirds.
How do I prepare the oranges?
Peel and section 2 large oranges, then cut each section into thirds.
What are the ingredients in the tropical dressing?
The dressing consists of reserved pineapple juice, orange juice, wine vinegar, honey, dried basil, orange zest, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
How long does the salad need to chill?
The salad should be refrigerated and allowed to chill for at least 8 hours or overnight for the best flavor.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this Tropical Black Bean Pasta Salad is vegetarian.
What is the purpose of rinsing the pasta under cold water?
Rinsing under cold water stops the cooking process immediately so the pasta doesn't become mushy.
Can I adjust the amount of vinegar in the dressing?
Yes, you can use 2 tablespoons of wine vinegar or add more to taste.
How much green onion is needed?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of thinly sliced green onion.
What seasonings are used for the dressing?
The dressing is seasoned with 2 teaspoons of dried basil, 1 teaspoon of orange zest, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
How much honey is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of honey.
Do I need to stir the salad while it is chilling?
Yes, you should stir the salad occasionally while it chills to ensure the flavors blend evenly.
What size package of frozen peas and carrots is required?
You will need a 10-ounce package of frozen peas and carrots.
How much orange juice is needed for the dressing?
You will need 1/2 cup of orange juice.
Is this salad good for potlucks?
Yes, its vibrant colors and refreshing flavors make it perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or light lunches.
How much orange zest should I add?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of orange zest.
What is the texture of the pasta supposed to be?
The pasta should be cooked until al dente to maintain a firm texture in the salad.
Can I make this salad a day in advance?
Yes, preparing it a day in advance is recommended to allow the tropical flavors to meld properly.
How many oranges are used in the salad?
The recipe uses 2 large oranges.
Is there garlic in the dressing?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.
What type of vinegar is recommended?
The recipe recommends using wine vinegar.
Should I use fresh or dried basil?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 teaspoons of dried basil.
How much red bell pepper is included?
The recipe includes 1 cup of sliced red bell pepper.
How much black bean is in the salad?
The salad contains one standard 15-ounce can of black beans.
How should the bowl be stored in the fridge?
The bowl should be covered with plastic wrap while it chills.