spooky black bean pasta salad (Print View)

Colorful pasta with black beans, crisp veggies, and tangy dressing. Perfect for festive gatherings.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz black bean pasta (or regular rotini)
02 - Salt, for pasta water

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 orange bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/2 cup purple cabbage, thinly sliced
06 - 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
07 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
08 - 1/2 cup canned corn kernels, drained

→ Beans

09 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained

→ Dressing

10 - 3 tbsp olive oil
11 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
12 - 1 tbsp lime juice
13 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
14 - 1 clove garlic, minced
15 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
16 - 1/2 tsp salt
17 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

→ Garnish

18 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

# Directions:

01 - Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside to cool.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, orange bell pepper, purple cabbage, black olives, red onion, corn, and black beans.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to combine.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with fresh cilantro or parsley. For Halloween flair, garnish with plastic spiders (remove before eating) or arrange the salad into a spooky design.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 30 minutes for last-minute Halloween party prep
  • Nutritionally balanced with protein, fiber, and vegetables for a satisfying dish
  • Customizable with seasonal ingredients and Halloween decorative elements
  • Naturally colorful without artificial food dyes
02 -
  • Perfect make ahead dish that actually improves after a few hours in the refrigerator
  • Excellent source of plant based protein with approximately 13g per serving
  • Naturally creates a Halloween aesthetic without artificial colors or excessive sugar
03 -
  • Always rinse canned black beans thoroughly to remove excess starch and sodium, which improves both texture and flavor.
  • For the most visually striking presentation, prepare and add the purple cabbage just before serving to prevent it from discoloring other ingredients.
  • When selecting black bean pasta, look for varieties with minimal ingredients, ideally just black beans and water, as these maintain their texture best during cooking and chilling.

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