Step 1

bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add your pasta, and cook according to the package instructions. When finished cooking, rinse the pasta with cold water to bring it down to room temperature – otherwise it will par-cook the fresh ingredients.

Step 2

Sear the Corn (Optional): While the pasta is cooking, add the frozen corn kernels to a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring the corn occasionally to cook all of the liquid out. The corn will start to brown around the edges and brown “bits” will appear on the bottom of the pan; once the corn is seared to your liking, add 2-3 tablespoons of water to the pan and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bits off of the pan and onto the corn. Cook until all of the water is evaporated, then set aside. If you don’t want to sear your corn, simply thaw and add to the pasta salad with the rest of the vegetables.

Step 3

Add the mayo, lime juice, taco seasoning, and salt to a large bowl; whisk until well-combined.

Step 4

Add the chilled pasta, seared corn, tomatoes, black beans, onion, cilantro stems, and vegan cheese (optional) to the bowl; use a spatula to gently mix everything together until all pieces are coated in dressing. Divide the pasta salad into serving bowls, then top with avocado and cilantro leaves (or as desired). Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, but this is best served the day it is made.