Taco Pasta Salad (Print)
Tender pasta tossed with taco-seasoned vegetables, beans, cheese, and creamy dressing for a satisfying Tex-Mex inspired dish.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
→ Meats (optional)
02 - 1/2 lb ground beef or turkey
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
05 - 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
06 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
07 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 cup iceberg or romaine lettuce, shredded
→ Cheese & Toppings
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
10 - 1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips
11 - 1/4 cup sliced black olives
12 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
→ Dressing
13 - 2/3 cup sour cream
14 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
15 - 2 tbsp taco seasoning
16 - 2 tbsp lime juice
17 - Salt and pepper to taste
# How To Make It:
01 - Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to stop cooking process, and set aside to cool completely.
02 - Heat skillet over medium heat. Brown ground beef or turkey, breaking apart with spoon while cooking, until fully browned. Drain excess fat and allow to cool.
03 - In large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, cooked meat (if using), cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, bell pepper, lettuce, cheese, and black olives.
04 - Whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, taco seasoning, lime juice, salt, and pepper in small bowl until smooth and well combined.
05 - Pour dressing over salad mixture. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with creamy dressing.
06 - Fold in crushed tortilla chips and fresh cilantro immediately before serving to maintain texture and freshness.
07 - Serve chilled or at room temperature. Best enjoyed same day for optimal texture and flavor.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This salad proves that comfort food doesnt need to be hot to hit the spot
- The creamy zesty dressing clings to every pasta curve creating flavor in every single bite
02 -
- The dressing will seem thick at first but magically loosens as it coats the pasta and vegetables
- This salad needs at least 30 minutes in the fridge for flavors to meld but the texture is best within 4 hours
03 -
- Rinse your pasta with cold water until its genuinely cool to the touch, otherwise it will slightly cook the vegetables when you toss everything together
- Taste the dressing before pouring it over the whole salad, taco seasoning brands vary wildly in salt content