Southwestern Sweet Potato and Black Bean Pasta Salad

This southwestern sweet potato and black bean pasta salad combines all your favorite southwestern components with pasta in a chipotle vinaigrette.

overhead closeup of bowl of pasta salad with black beans and sweet potatoes
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
55 mins
Servings:
10
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 10 servings

  • 1 pound short pasta, such as penne or bow-tie

  • 5 chipotles in adobo, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, divided

  • 1 clove garlic

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 6 tablespoons red wine vinegar

  • 2/3 cup olive oil

  • 2 large sweet potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt, plus more to taste, divided

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

  • 2/3 cup minced red onion

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro

  • 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). 

  2. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.

  3. For vinaigrette, place 2 chipotle peppers, plus 1 tablespoon sauce into a blender. Add garlic, oregano, honey, and red wine vinegar, and blend on high until well combined. Drizzle in the 2/3 cup olive oil with blender running until smooth, and set aside. Chop remaining peppers finely and stir into vinaigrette. Refrigerate until ready to use. 

  4. Toss potatoes in 2 tablespoons olive oil, black pepper, and remaining salt. Coat a baking sheet with nonstick spray or line with parchment, and spread potatoes in an even layer on the sheet. 

  5. Roast in the preheated oven until browned, about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove from oven and set aside. 

  6. In a large bowl combine cooked pasta with black beans, onion, cilantro, and toss.  Add in potatoes and 3/4 cup vinaigrette, or more as needed, and toss gently (reserve any remaining vinaigrette for another use). Season with salt and pepper, and stir in cotija cheese. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

382 Calories
22g Fat
38g Carbs
10g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 10
Calories 382
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 5g 23%
Cholesterol 12mg 4%
Sodium 1271mg 55%
Total Carbohydrate 38g 14%
Dietary Fiber 6g 23%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 10g 20%
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Calcium 139mg 11%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 419mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.