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Taco Pasta Salad Recipe

Taco Pasta Salad Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 14 reviews

This Taco Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining seasoned ground beef, al dente rotini pasta, fresh vegetables, shredded cheddar cheese, and a zesty Catalina dressing. Topped with crunchy crushed Nacho Doritos and optional crisp iceberg lettuce, it’s perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or a hearty weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasoning

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning

Pasta

  • 8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente according to package instructions

Vegetables

  • 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded, finely diced
  • 1 medium Roma tomato, finely diced
  • 1 can (15.25 ounces) corn kernels, drained
  • ½ cup (74.5 g) red bell pepper, finely diced
  • ½ cup (80 g) yellow onion, diced
  • Diced iceberg lettuce, optional for garnish

Dairy

  • 2 cups (226 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded

Dressing and Toppings

  • 1 cup (272 g) Catalina dressing
  • 1 bag (9.25 ounces) Nacho Doritos, slightly crushed, reserving a few for topping

Instructions

  1. Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef for 8-10 minutes until it is no longer pink, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
  2. Add taco seasoning: Stir in the 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning thoroughly with the cooked ground beef to evenly distribute the spices. Remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked rotini pasta, finely diced jalapeño pepper, diced Roma tomato, drained corn kernels, red bell pepper, diced yellow onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and the seasoned taco meat.
  4. Add dressing and mix: Pour the Catalina dressing over the combined ingredients and gently toss everything together until well coated.
  5. Add Doritos and serve: Just before serving, add the slightly crushed Nacho Doritos to the salad and toss lightly to incorporate. Garnish with reserved Doritos on top and optional diced iceberg lettuce for added crunch and freshness.

Notes

  • For a spicier dish, include seeds in the jalapeño or add a dash of hot sauce to the dressing.
  • To make it ahead, keep the Doritos separate until just before serving to maintain their crunch.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner alternative to ground beef.
  • Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free if needed.
  • Optional garnish of iceberg lettuce adds a refreshing texture and color contrast.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco pasta salad, ground beef pasta salad, Catalina dressing salad, Tex-Mex pasta salad, rotini pasta salad

Find it online: https://topreci.com/taco-pasta-salad-recipe/