The easiest Gluten-Free Mexican Pasta Salad recipe ever! It's just 7 ingredients, vegan, allergy-free, and takes just 10 minutes! Whether you're feeding a crowd at a summer potluck, cookout, bbq, or you just need a super quick and healthy lunch or dinner, this Mexican macaroni salad is a must! Easy to meal prep and make-ahead!
What's easier than a 7 ingredient pasta salad? Nothing! A Mexican pasta salad that you literally can make in 10 minutes with your eyes closed (maybe). Gluten-free pasta, black beans, veggies, and a jar of salsa? It's practically a "dump and go" meal! It's a last-minute lifesaver for potlucks and cookout or an easy go-to for spicing up your meal prep game!
What's in a Mexican pasta salad?
You are about to be blown away (if you get excited about easy steller recipes like this!) You can take a few shortcuts with the ingredients too, by using canned or frozen veggies so you literally can make this in record time. The only ingredient you need to "cook" is the pasta and while it's cooking you can get everything else ready to go. There are 7 essential ingredients and a few extra throw-ins if you'd like, but totally optional!
Ingredients you need:
- Gluten-Free Pasta
- Corn
- Black Beans
- Onion
- Bell Pepper
- Salsa
- Garlic
- Cumin (optional)
- Fresh Cilantro (optional)
I have a cumin obsession so I threw some ground cumin into the mix! I also wanted the pasta salad to look pretty so I topped the bowl off with a nice dose of bright green cilantro (you can use parsley too!)
Best gluten-free pasta for pasta salad
Technically, this is a Mexican macaroni salad! I used my favorite go-to gluten-free macaroni, however, a good rotini, fusilli, farfalle, even penne or shells would work. I personally just love macaroni for a pasta salad, regardless if it's not a traditional macaroni salad!
Properly cooking gluten-free pasta
A big mistake in making pasta salad is overcooking the pasta so it's mushy, fall-apart, sadness when you go to mix everything together. When you add the gluten-free factor in, you really need to be careful on your pasta cooking time. I've found Ronzoni's gluten-free noodles are the best for holding up, not getting mushy, and staying fresh and palatable the longest. Cooking the noodles for 5-6 minutes is perfect and their suggestion for an al dente, firm pasta outcome. Once you've boiled your pasta, drain it right away, and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down so it's ready for the pasta salad right away.
How to make Mexican pasta salad
This recipe really is as easy as "one, two three"! What's also fun (I think its fun) here is that everything is measured as "one". 1 cup, 1 box, 1 jar, 1 teaspoon. SO easy!
- Boil your gluten-free pasta of choice, drain, quick cold rinse, and add it to a large bowl.
- Add the corn, black beans, chopped onion, bell pepper, jar of salsa, and garlic.
- Mix it all together and...serve!
Time-Saving Tips:
- You can use canned or frozen (and thawed) yellow corn!
- Use 1 can of black beans, rinsed.
- You can use 1 cup of frozen (and thawed) chopped onion (helps keep the tears from flowing too!)
- You can use 1 cup of frozen chopped bell pepper (any color works) or fresh. I did you fresh here.
- Grab a jar of your favorite salsa. It can be mild, medium, spicy, whatever floats your boat!
- Use pre-minced garlic (always!)
Simple, quick, and easy, but also perfectly allergy-free! This gluten-free pasta salad is vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, and peanut-free. Depending on your salsa choice there's no added sugar, no oil; just fresh, light, delicious, family-friendly and food allergy safe fare for any summer cookout, bbq, or potluck. (This does feed a crowd!)
Storing and serving Mexican pasta salad
Make-ahead & meal prep storing:
Pasta salads are great for making in advance! That means it's a great dish, not just for a potluck, but for a quick "scoop-and-go" for weekday lunches or easy side dish for dinner! Since this vegan Mexican pasta salad isn't mayo-based, you can store it for a good 7 days in a closed container in the fridge! Pasta salads are always better the next day anyway! It always the flavors to meld together and really make a statement!
Serve it cold or warm:
When you add the word "salad" to pasta, it's meant to be eaten cold or chilled. However, my dear brother informed me that he heated this Mexican macaroni salad up in the microwave before eating it (and I was mad), until he told me that it was "pristine" this way and he preferred serving temperature! So if you're making this for a summer cookout, obviously it would be best cold, but if you're making it for an at-home side or light meal, you may just want to try popping it in the microwave for a minute or two!
Easy Gluten-Free Mexican Pasta Salad
Easy Gluten-Free Mexican Pasta Salad (Vegan, Allergy-Free)
The easiest Gluten-Free Mexican Pasta Salad recipe ever! It's just 7 ingredients, vegan, allergy-free, and takes just 10 minutes! Whether you're feeding a crowd at a summer potluck, cookout, bbq, or you just need a super quick and healthy lunch or dinner, this Mexican macaroni salad is a must! Easy to meal prep and make-ahead!
- Prep Time: 4 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Side
- Method: Boil
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 Box of Gluten-Free Pasta (about 10-12 oz)*
- 1 Cup Sweet Yellow Corn
- 1 15oz Can of Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 Cup Chopped Onion
- 1 Cup Chopped Red Bell Pepper
- 1 16oz Jar of Salsa**
- 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
- ½ Tsp Ground Cumin (optional)
- Fresh Cilantro or Parsley (optional, to top)
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook your pasta according to package directions, for an al dente pasta. Drain and rinse under cold water and add it to a large mixing/serving bowl.
- Add the veggies, beans, salsa, and spices to the pasta and mix well to coat and combine.
- Store in the fridge to chill until you're ready to serve.
Notes
*I used about 10oz of macaroni.
**I didn't use the entire 16oz. Use more or less depending on your pasta and preferences!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Varies
Keywords: pasta, macaroni, pasta salad, macaroni salad, salsa, black beans, summer, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, allergy-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, peanut-free, fish-free, sesame-free, sugar-free, oil-free, kid-friendly
If you're ready to jazz up your pasta salad (or...macaroni salad) game, then THIS super easy gluten-free Mexican salad is the way to go! You may just find yourself making a batch every week. I mean, why not? It's healthy, quick, easy, and ooooo so yummy!
More pasta salad recipes:
- Summer Veggie Pasta Salad
- Simple Summer Corn Macaroni Salad
- Classic American Macaroni Salad
- Modern Macaroni Salad
- Buffalo Pasta Salad
- Vegan BLT Pasta Salad
So tell me:
+ What's your favorite pasta shape for a pasta salad?
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Jan
This looks delicious! Perfect for the summer.
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's great, Jan.
Cleo
Love how easy this was to make! Just dump everything in with your fav salsa!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Glad you enjoyed!
Miz Helen
This will be a delicious salad that I will just love!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Glad to hear it!
Dee | Grammy's Grid
YUM! Looks good! Pinned ♥
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Leslie
This sounds so easy for summer cookouts and I love that it has no mayonnaise!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! It is just so super quick to throw together!
Toni | Boulder Locavore
This will quickly become a favorite at my house!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I'm sure it will, Toni.
Ashley
This looks so great I can’t wait to make it and share it with my family!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hope you all enjoy!
Dani
What a great recipe. I like that it's simple and the ingredients are easy on the wallet. Always looking for new ideas and this is perfect.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, me too (easy on the wallet!)
Tami
I'm trying to talk myself into giving up gluten. This pasta salad may have just sold me on it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Why would you do that?!
Tami
Oh, because my PCOS symptoms are worse with gluten in my system.
Christa
I’m all about a “dump and go” meal. This is such a great recipe to make on a Sunday and have throughout the week.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Exactly! Just grab a big bowl, toss it together, and keep it in the fridge!
joy abou zeid
This looks extremely delicious!!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Cristina
Looks so good!
Never thought of this combinations and it looks so easy to put together!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You need some Mexican pasta salad then!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
This is so colorful and so many great ingredients! Loving that touch of garlic, too!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's got a little bit of everything!
Leigh Suznovich
YUM! This is a perfect summer salad, especially a potluck or picnic.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Any time you need a dish to feed a crowd!
Crystal // Dreams, etc.
This recipe looks great! I love that it's gluten-free, too. My niece is gluten-free right now, so I can make this for her.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Enjoy!
Marette Flora
This looks delicious! I love pasta salad.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Pasta salads are the best!
Lia
This does sound nice and easy, which I always appreciate! Thanks for sharing this super great recipe—I'll have to try it out for one of my BBQs this summer! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Great for any potluck!
Alessia Marciano
Wow! it look so teasty!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks, Alessia.
Emily
Ooooh I am a proper sucker for Mexican food so I will have to try and make this! It seems really yummy!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yup! Bring on the salsa!
Noelle H
Oh my gosh! I was just thinking about what kinds of sides to make for my daughters birthday party and this is definitely going on the menu! Is there anything better than mexican? I think not 🙈
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This would be perfect!
cait
a girlfriend of mine is always wanting a fun pasta recipe to make but shes gluten free- this looks incredible and i cant wait to share this recipe with her! who doesnt love a good mexican pasta salad!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Sure to be a summer staple!
Jimmy Clare
Sounds like a tasty meal that I might have to try.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's a must!
Bettie Toonstra
YES! I love pasta and salads! This looks really good. I am going try this recipe soon.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Pasta salads are a summer essential.