Taco Pasta Salad Recipe
Taco Salad + Pasta Salad = Deliciousness! This easy recipe combines two of everyone’s favorite salads into one delicious treat for barbecues, potlucks, or quick dinners.
Rotini pasta should be prepared according to package directions and then rinsed in cold water until cool, after draining and draining again. Combine the pasta, ground beef, tomatoes, black olives, cheese, avocado, and green onion with a creamy salsa dressing and serve.
Ingredients
Taco Pasta Salad is one of the most leisurely make-ahead meals for summer. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, picnics, and parties!
Adding extra ingredients will elevate this creamy pasta salad in taste and flavor! For extra crunch and nutrition, sprinkle in green pepper slices, red onion pieces, or julienned carrots. Additionally, you could include shredded lettuce; otherwise, a bag of pre-shredded organic lettuce from the store might simplify things!
I like adding some sour cream or Greek yogurt to this taco pasta salad recipe to add extra creaminess and ensure the dressing clings to all ingredients in the bowl. For a more straightforward dressing solution, whisk some of your favorite Western Dressing; slowly drizzle in oil while whisking. This ensures it remains emulsified!
Before serving this pasta salad, mix all its ingredients except cheese and crushed Doritos. Finally, just before folding in these final components (shredded cheese and crushed chips), fold them back in quickly so they remain crunchy. This recipe makes enough taco pasta salad to satisfy an entire crowd; if necessary, you can adjust this up or down by clicking on one of the serving amounts in the printable version and using its arrows to adjust ingredient quantities accordingly.
Prep Time
Taco pasta salad can make it easy to quickly create tasty dinners when there isn’t the time or the desire to cook or when craving something lighter than typical meals. Plus, it makes the perfect dish to whip up when guests come over, serving delicious food without taking up too much of your day’s cooking.
This recipe can be modified to meet any personal preferences; for instance, you could swap out the meat with ground chicken or pork or make it vegetarian-friendly using Beyond Meat (1 can/15oz). In addition, different cheese varieties can add additional flavors depending on what’s on hand.
If you’re making this dish for a crowd, prepare all the veggies and cook the ground beef in one day, keeping them in airtight containers until you need to put everything together. Cook pasta ahead of time so it will be ready when needed – just remember to drain off any extra grease before combining all the ingredients in one large bowl and adding cheese and avocado just before serving! This delicious recipe is sure to please at BBQs, potlucks, or any event where crowd-pleasing food is essential!
Cook Time
Most pasta salads can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge, but when adding cheese and chips, it’s best to wait until just before serving so that they stay extra crunchy.
Based on your preferences, this pasta salad can easily be altered to meet them! Substituting other forms of meat, such as chicken or shrimp, could work just as well – you could also go veggie by leaving out the beef altogether and replacing it with beans to create an entirely vegan pasta salad!
This quick and easy taco pasta salad recipe will satisfy those seeking an effortless lunch or dinner option. Packed with flavor, crunchiness, and just the right amount of heat – not to mention fresh vegetables and ground beef combined with Catalina dressing – this meal won’t disappoint!
To make this dish, cook ground beef over medium-high heat in a skillet until it no longer appears pink, drain any access grease, and set it aside to cool. At this point, start boiling some salted boiling water for the pasta rotini until al dente; drain, rinse under cold water to cool, drain again once cool enough, and set aside. Finally, combine everything in one large bowl: pasta, beef, and other salad ingredients (including cheese or crushed Doritos just before serving!). Reserve cheese and crushed Doritos until later!
Total Time
This Taco Pasta Salad Recipe is sure to please with its combination of creamy pasta, flavorful fillings, fresh herbs, and the right amount of crunchiness! Ideal for potlucks or quick weeknight dinners!
This taco pasta salad requires some chill before it’s ready to serve, as avocado tends to brown quickly when added too early. Cook your spiral pasta according to package directions until al dente for a more substantial pasta salad. When making the dressing, the oil must be slowly drizzled in while whisking continuously – this ensures an emulsified and creamy result.
Prep time: 15 min on stove. ** To make this vegan-friendly dish, substitute ground chicken/turkey/tofu for easy preparation on the stovetop.
Add avocado, black olives, and cheese just before serving for an amazingly versatile and delectable Taco Pasta Salad that makes an impressive side dish or family dinner meal! Use salsa dressing as a sauce and toss until evenly covered by this versatile and delectable dish! This Taco Pasta Salad makes an unforgettable appetizer or main course option!
