Description
A hearty cold pasta salad combining rotini, black beans, black-eyed peas, and crisp vegetables in a zesty Italian vinaigrette, perfect for a meat-free, pork-free meal. Chilled and packed with texture, it’s ideal for meal prep and stays fresh for several days.
Ingredients
16 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente, drained and cooled
1 cup chopped halal-style pepperoni substitute (e.g., grilled chicken or plant-based pepperoni)
1 container (10 ounces) cherry tomatoes, finely chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1 small red onion, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
1 can (15.25 ounces) yellow corn, drained
1 can (11 ounces) white corn, drained
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15.5 ounces) black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 orange bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup Italian vinaigrette, plus more to taste
Salt, to taste
Instructions
In a very large bowl, combine the cooled rotini, halal-style pepperoni substitute, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, and red onion. Add the drained yellow and white corn, the rinsed black beans and black-eyed peas, the jalapeño, and the three varieties of bell peppers.
Pour up to 1 cup of Italian vinaigrette over the mixture. It is best to start with a smaller amount of dressing and taste the salad before adding the remainder of the cup.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly, ensuring the dressing is distributed across the pasta and vegetables. Adjust the amount of vinaigrette if desired.
Refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
Substitute the halal-style pepperoni with diced grilled chicken or a plant-based alternative for a vegetarian version. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Adjust jalapeño quantity to control spice level.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Cold preparation
- Cuisine: American