Taco Pasta Salad Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Taco Pasta Salad combining seasoned ground beef, rotini pasta, black beans, corn, fresh veggies, and a tangy Catalina dressing with a creamy twist. Topped with crunchy crushed Doritos and fresh lettuce, this dish is perfect for a quick lunch or a crowd-pleasing potluck favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 15 ounces canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 8 ounces canned corn, drained
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups shredded Fiesta blend cheese
- 9 ounces Nacho Cheese Doritos, crushed
- 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
Dressing
- 16 ounces Catalina dressing
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the rotini according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down and stop the cooking process.
- Prepare the beef: While the pasta cooks, heat a skillet over medium heat. Brown the ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease from the pan. Stir in the taco seasoning and continue cooking until the seasoning’s liquid has evaporated and the beef is well coated.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled rotini pasta, seasoned beef, black beans, corn, halved cherry tomatoes, and shredded Fiesta blend cheese. Gently toss to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Make the dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the Catalina dressing and sour cream until smooth and well blended.
- Add dressing to salad: Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta and beef mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly to coat every ingredient with the dressing.
- Finish and serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos on top of the salad and add the shredded iceberg lettuce to retain their crunch. Toss lightly if desired and serve immediately for the best texture.
Notes
- For a spicier variation, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
- The salad can be prepared ahead of time but add crushed Doritos and lettuce just before serving to keep them crisp.
- Use low-fat sour cream and lean ground beef to make this dish lighter.
- Replace Catalina dressing with a homemade vinaigrette for a fresher taste.
- This salad is versatile and works well for potlucks, BBQs, or as a hearty family meal.
Keywords: taco pasta salad, ground beef pasta salad, taco seasoning, rotini salad, Catalina dressing salad, easy pasta salad recipe
Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/taco-pasta-salad-recipe/
