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Zesty Macaroni with Black Beans and Corn

  • Prep-time: / Ready In:
  • Makes 14 cups
  • Serving size: 2⅓ cups
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Ready in just 25 minutes, this one-pot pasta combines sweet corn, protein-packed black beans, and tangy tomatoes canned at their peak in a quick and tasty meal the whole family will love. Avocado Cream drizzled over the top adds creaminess and softens the acidity of the tomatoes—it's an optional extra but worth making if you have an avocado on hand. If this dish looks more saucy in the pot than you'd like, cover the pot and let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes so the macaroni can absorb more liquid.

Avocado Cream

In a blender combine 1 large avocado, peeled and chopped; ⅓ to ½ cup unsweetened, unflavored plant-based milk; 1 tablespoon lime juice; ¼ teaspoon hot pepper sauce; 1 small clove garlic, chopped; and sea salt, to taste. Cover and blend until smooth.

Tips

For a smokier flavor: Instead of 1 tablespoon of paprika, use 2 teaspoons of regular paprika and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika.

Gluten-free version: To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free macaroni.

For more inspiration, check out these tasty ideas:

By Laura Marzen, RD, LD,

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Ingredients

  • 2 15-oz. cans no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained (3 cups)
  • 1 28-oz. can no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
  • 1 14.5-oz. can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
  • 12 oz. dried whole grain macaroni
  • ¾ cup chopped onion
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon paprika (see tip, recipe intro)
  • 1½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3½ cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
  • Lime zest
  • Avocado slices
  • Avocado Cream (optional) (see tip, recipe intro)

Instructions

  • In a 6-quart Dutch oven combine the first 12 ingredients (through black pepper). Stir in broth. Press down on ingredients with the back of a spoon so macaroni is submerged in liquid.
  • Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 6 to 8 minutes or until macaroni is tender.
  • Stir in half of the cilantro (if using) and garnish with lime zest. If you like, top with the remaining cilantro, the sliced avocado, and Avocado Cream.
Nutritional Information:

Per serving (2⅓ cups): 446 calories, 90 g carbohydrates, 21 g protein, 2 g total fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 509 mg sodium, 17 g fiber, 11 g sugar

Note: Nutritional information is provided as an estimate only.

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About the Author

Headshot of recipe developer and nutritionist Laura Marzen by Theresa Schumacher Photography

About the Author

Laura Marzen, RD, LD

Laura Marzen, RD, LD, is known for developing approachable recipes using her attention to detail and relying on two decades of experience creating and testing recipes. She created and tested recipes while working in the Better Homes & Gardens test kitchen for over seven years. Since then, she has gone on to develop more than 1,000 recipes for national magazines. In addition to her work developing recipes, Marzen uses her passion for healthy eating to coach women on improving their digestion and health in a way that's practical and sustainable. She has consulted for authors Rocco DiSpirito and Joy Bauer and has appeared on both local and national news and television programs on behalf of Better Homes & Gardens and Living the Country Life. With her work coaching women to improve their health, Marzen has extensive knowledge on the topics of digestion, metabolism, inflammation and IBS. Marzen earned a B.S. degree in dietetics from Iowa State University. She followed that with a dietetic internship and classes in public health at the University of Iowa through the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Learn more on her website. Photo by Theresa Schumacher Photography
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