Vegetarian Taco Pasta Salad With Avocado Hemp Hearts Dressing

Step 1

Cook the pasta of your choice according to the package instructions. I cooked my two cups of dried pasta in 6 cups of boiling water with 1 tsp salt for 8 minutes. Make sure to cook the pasta aldente. Reserve 1/3 cup of pasta cooking water and drain the remaining water.

Step 2

Spread the pasta on a plate, add 1/2 tbsp of oil, and mix well. Add oil and spreading in a plate helps prevent pasta from clumping.

Step 3

In a blender, add the sliced avocado (reserve some for the salad, too. I used one and a half avocados for the dressing), lemon juice, hemp hearts, taco seasoning, and cilantro.

Step 4

Blend it smoothly by adding 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta water.

Step 5

Add the cooked pasta, chopped onion, bell peppers, tomato, cilantro, kidney beans, corn, olive oil, and remaining salt to a mixing bowl.

Step 6

Add the prepared dressing too.

Step 7

Mix well. Check for the seasoning and adjust accordingly. Serve it with a slice of lemon and sliced avocados.