Description
Taco Pasta Salad is a fun and flavorful dinner game changer combining seasoned ground beef, rotini pasta, fresh vegetables, cheddar cheese, and a tangy Catalina dressing, all topped with crunchy Nacho Doritos. This vibrant and hearty salad brings the best of Tex-Mex flavors in a cool and satisfying dish that’s perfect for weeknight meals or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 lb Ground Beef (Choose 80/20 for flavor)
- 2 tbsp Taco Seasoning (Homemade blends enhance the taste)
Pasta
- 8 oz Rotini Pasta (Feel free to try different pasta types)
Vegetables
- 1 medium Jalapeño Pepper (Adjust amount for preferred heat)
- 1 medium Roma Tomato (Or use cherry tomatoes)
- 1 cup Corn Kernels (Both fresh and canned work)
- 1 medium Red Bell Pepper (Can use yellow or orange instead)
- 1 small Yellow Onion (Use red onion for a milder bite)
- 2 cups Diced Iceberg Lettuce (Optional garnish)
Dairy
- 1 cup Mild Cheddar Cheese (Can be substituted with aged cheddar)
Dressing and Crunch
- 1 cup Catalina Dressing (Can be swapped with French dressing)
- 2 cups Nacho Doritos (Feel free to use tortilla chips)
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat and blend in the taco seasoning thoroughly. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Pasta and Vegetables: Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and allow to cool. Meanwhile, dice the jalapeño, Roma tomato, red bell pepper, and yellow onion.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cooked rotini pasta, diced jalapeño, tomato, corn kernels, red bell pepper, onion, mild cheddar cheese, and the seasoned ground beef. Mix until evenly distributed.
- Add Dressing and Crunch: Just before serving, gently fold in the Catalina dressing to coat the salad evenly. Crush the Nacho Doritos and fold them in gently to maintain some crunch.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the taco pasta salad topped with additional crushed Doritos and, if desired, a sprinkle of diced iceberg lettuce for extra freshness and crunch.
Notes
- Adjust jalapeño amount based on preferred spice level.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked black beans or a meat alternative.
- Use freshly cooked pasta slightly cooled for best texture.
- Catalina dressing can be replaced with French or a creamy ranch for different flavor profiles.
- Nacho Doritos can be substituted with other tortilla chips or crushed pita chips for a unique crunch.
- Adding diced avocado or fresh cilantro can enhance flavors.
