Easy, fast and healthy meal to satisfy the entire family. This Mexican Pasta salad is the perfect way to get your daily fill of protein and veggies!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Explore Cuisine. The opinions and text are all mine.
Nothing like an easy, fast and delicious pasta salad that is not only super flavorful but also super healthy! And by healthy I mean protein, veggies, and healthy fats. This Mexican Pasta salad is an all in one meal that will satisfy your belly and keep you plenty full!
Awesome Pasta Without Grains
As much as we all love pasta, sometimes your belly needs a break from grains. If you're in the same boat, or can't tolerate grains in general, then this pasta is for you! Explore Cuisine Edamame Spaghetti is a healthy alternative to your typical noodles.
It not only boasts 24 grams of protein per serving, but it is made with 1 ingredient. Yeah, you heard me. 1. I mean....crazy right? It is also high in fiber with 11 grams! No more stopped up belly here. This will keep your digestive track moving like no other! TMI? You'll thank me later.
Mexican Pasta Salad Ready In No Time
This Mexican Pasta Salad is so easy to throw together. Just chop all the veggies, cook the pasta, and add in the lime juice and spices. It comes together in under 10 minutes!
The key to this quick meal is that these noodles cook in literally minutes. I boiled them for 2 minutes and found them to be the perfect al dente texture. Rinse with cold water, then add in all the other ingredients and BINGO!
And because the noodles do have a slight bean taste, this recipe is so perfect for them. I love using the natural flavors of things to inspire new recipes. So when I first tried this pasta, I knew I had to make good use of the underlying bean flavor.
What made cooking these noodles even easier was this amazing pasta pot by Lagostina that the awesome people of Explore Cuisine sent me. So easy to cook and strain all in one place!
As if the pasta pot wasn't already awesome, they also sent a veggie steamer basket, wooden pasta spoon and another specialty spoon that actually helps you measure serving size of spaghetti noodles! So naturally, when measuring for 2 servings, I actually used the 4 serving hole 😉 Because well, I love food.
But wait, it gets even cooler. Check out the adorable cutting board they sent! I have never, in all the years of working with brands, been sent such a sweet and thoughtful gift. Amongst all the awful things happening in the world today, it is such a breath of fresh air to see the awesomeness. I truly appreciate their generosity!
Reasons I love this Mexican Fiesta Pasta Salad:
- It comes together in under 10 minutes!
- Super easy, cut and toss recipe!
- Pasta with only 1 ingredient in it!
- Super high in protein!
- All in one meal!
(Sidenote, my middle took this photo as I held the forks!)
You can also find Explore Cuisine on:
Fast High Protein Mexican Fiesta Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 box bean based spaghetti , I use the Explore Cuisine Organic Edamame spaghetti
- 1 cup chopped avocado
- 1 cup fresh or defrosted frozen corn
- 1 cup chopped fresh tomato
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛-1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil , optional for flavor
- 1-3 teaspoons chopped fresh jalapeño , optional for added spice
Instructions
- Cook noodles according to package directions. Chop all of the veggies and prep ingredients while you wait for the water to boil.
- Once noodles are cooked, run under cold water and drain well.
- Add to a large bowl, then mix in all of the ingredients and toss, making sure everything is incorporated.
Notes
- You can cook longer if you want a softer noodle, but make sure not to overcook.
- Do not allow the noodles to sit for too long before tossing them with the other ingredients or they won't mix in as well.
- Adjust the amount of lime juice to achieve the perfect tang for your preference. The jalapeño is optional, but highly recommended!
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Jenn
That cutting board is so super cute! What a nice gift. Loving this piled high loaded pasta salad too!
veggiesdontbite
Isn't it adorable?!!
Teresa Rutherford
I love finding plant based recipes that everyone will love!
The Vegan 8
I love how you piled that pasta high to the sky! Haha! Just the way I like it! You can't go wrong with corn and avocado either. I had pasta for dinner tonight but it was a red sauce...I'm thinking I need this one next, lol! I love those cutting boards, I agree, they are the nicest!
veggiesdontbite
Piled high is the way to go!! LOL! Yeah, I was thinking I needed a Mexican twist to this creation because of the bean undertones in the pasta. It turned out delicious! I may have added a touch more lime to mine...and a bunch of spice. Ha!
Christine
Normally I put chickpeas in everything, because well, why not? I bet this would be good with black beans if you really want to go protein crazy!
veggiesdontbite
I thought about that but didn't want to go overboard. LOL!
Kim Henrichs
My biggest protein intake is chicken and peanut butter!
veggiesdontbite
I love that I have a meat eater here on my site!! Yay for bringing in at least some plant based meals!
jacquie
i tend to look towards nut butters and lentils.
Sue
My favorite protein source varies from week-to-week. For example, last week we ate a lot of seitan, so this week I made a large pot of black beans.. Once the beans are gone we will go to tempeh and tofu. And if we have a day without any of those, we'll probably eat some nuts along the way. .I would love to try this recipe, too!
Kim
I like whole grains and sometimes I even make Sloppy Joe's and tacos using soy crumbles, which is a big step for me - LOL!
Dara
Cookies!!
Sue
You had me at protein! With my new workout routine, it's important for me to follow up with protein. This pasta looks amazing and I love that it will cook up so fast.
Carrie
I actually consume more protein now that I'm vegan! Lentils, beans, nuts, seeds, sprouted bread, and also starting eating this pasta a few months ago 🙂
Sue
You had me at protein! With my new workout routine I need to up my protein afterwords. Today it was the usual, a bit of peanut butter but I'd love to come home to quick edamame noodles. And Mexican Salad for the win!
Marla
I love all nuts and nut butters:)
Corrine
One of the ways I get my protein is by drinking Orgain's vegan nutritional shake each morning. At my advanced age I do need to make sure I'm getting everything I need.
Lydia Claire
Honestly it's not something I worry about. But I love beans so I'm sure I get some from them!
veggiesdontbite
Me either! I always just change things up!