This Taco Pasta Salad is a fun spin on regular pasta salad. It's easy to make and has lots of great Tex-Mex flavors!
Looking for more summer salad recipes? Try my Tuna Pasta Salad, Dill Pickle Pasta Salad, or Orzo Salad next!
About This Recipe
I realize I just posted a tuna pasta salad recipe yesterday, but here is another one to delight your taste buds. Also, it's the Super Bowl this weekend, so I'm using it as a perfectly valid excuse to make appetizers instead of proper dinners all week (full disclosure: I don't even watch football).
This salad leans into Tex-Mex flavors with seasoned ground beef and tomatoes. I would lump it into the category of "somewhat healthy recipes but not really" as it contains lots of vegetables, like corn, tomatoes, and beans, but there is quite a bit of sugar and fat from the French dressing. Also, it's eaten with crushed Doritos. Ok, so maybe it's not healthy.. But it's a crowd pleaser for sure.
Key Ingredients
Rotini: Rotini is great for pasta salads because the spirals cling to the sauce well. However, you can use any small pasta you have, like shells or macaroni.
Ground beef: I recommend using lean ground beef to keep things healthier, as French dressing and mayonnaise will be contributing richness already.
Taco seasoning: This is an easy hack to get lots of flavor into the salad. You'll need one standard pack of taco seasoning.
Vegetables & legumes: Chopped tomatoes (I used Roma tomatoes), canned black beans, canned corn, and red onion.
Cheddar cheese: You can also use Monterey Jack or any sharp-flavored cheese.
French dressing: I highly recommend making your own French dressing so you can customize the flavor (I like it way less sweet)! Check out my recipe here.
Mayonnaise: I like adding some mayonnaise because I like creamy pasta salads.
Doritos: Optional, but these add a delicious crunch to the salad.
Instructions
STEP 1: Cook the rotini according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drain well and set aside.
STEP 2: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown and crumble the ground beef until no longer pink, 8-10 minutes. Stir in the taco seasoning. Allow to cool to room temperature.
STEP 3: In a large bowl, add the drained rotini, taco beef, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, black beans, corn, and red onion. Whisk the French dressing and mayonnaise in a small bowl, then pour on top of the salad. Toss to combine.
STEP 4: Right before serving, fold in the crushed Doritos so they retain their crunchiness.
📋 Recipe
Taco Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked rotini
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 ounce package taco seasoning
- 2 cups chopped tomatoes
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn (drained)
- ½ small red onion (finely chopped)
- 1 cup French dressing (see recipe)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups crushed Doritos
Instructions
- Cook the rotini according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drain well and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown and crumble the ground beef until no longer pink, 8-10 minutes. Stir in the taco seasoning. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- In a large bowl, add the drained rotini, taco beef, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, black beans, corn, and red onion. Whisk the French dressing and mayonnaise in a small bowl, then pour on top of the salad. Toss to combine.
- Right before serving, fold in the crushed Doritos so they retain their crunchiness.
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