Description
Taco Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines seasoned ground beef, rotini pasta, fresh vegetables, cheddar cheese, and zesty Catalina dressing, all topped with crunchy Nacho Doritos for a fun twist. Perfect for a quick 25-minute dinner, this Tex-Mex inspired salad brings together the comforting heartiness of taco flavors with the freshness of a pasta salad, making it an exciting meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 lb Ground Beef (80/20 for flavor)
- 2 tbsp Taco Seasoning (homemade blends recommended)
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 oz Rotini Pasta (or any pasta shape you prefer)
- 1 medium Jalapeño Pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 medium Roma Tomato (or cherry tomatoes)
- 1 cup Corn Kernels (fresh or canned)
- 1 medium Red Bell Pepper (can substitute with yellow or orange)
- 1 small Yellow Onion (red onion can be used for milder bite)
Dairy and Dressing
- 1 cup Mild Cheddar Cheese (aged cheddar can be used)
- 1 cup Catalina Dressing (French dressing as an alternative)
Crunch and Garnish
- 2 cups Nacho Doritos (or tortilla chips)
- 2 cups Diced Iceberg Lettuce (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef for about 8-10 minutes until fully cooked. Drain excess fat and stir in the taco seasoning to evenly coat the meat. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Pasta Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rotini pasta, finely chopped jalapeño, diced Roma tomato, corn kernels, diced red bell pepper, chopped yellow onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and the seasoned ground beef. Mix gently to blend all the flavors.
- Add Dressing and Crunch: Just before serving, fold the Catalina dressing into the salad gently to coat everything without making it soggy. Crush the Nacho Doritos and fold most of them into the salad, reserving some for topping.
- Serve: Plate the taco pasta salad and sprinkle additional crushed Doritos on top. Garnish with diced iceberg lettuce if desired for an extra fresh crunch and color contrast.
Notes
- Adjust the jalapeño amount based on your preferred spice level.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add black beans or cooked lentils.
- Homemade taco seasoning enhances flavor but store-bought blends work well too.
- Using day-old cooked pasta helps the salad maintain texture better.
- Catalina dressing can be replaced with French dressing or a creamy chipotle dressing for variation.
- Add avocado or cilantro for extra freshness if desired.
