Taco Pasta Salad
A deliciously fun twist on a classic taco favorite, combining the bold flavors of tacos with pasta in a satisfying salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta (your choice, like rotini or fusilli)
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey/lentils for a plant-based option)
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup corn (canned or frozen)
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- 2 cups crushed Doritos
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining.
- Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it up, until browned (5-6 minutes). Add taco seasoning and a splash of water, cooking for another 3-4 minutes.
- Mix the cooked pasta, beef mixture, cherry tomatoes, corn, and diced bell pepper in a large bowl. Stir gently to combine.
- Add sour cream and ranch dressing, mixing until all ingredients are coated. If dry, add reserved pasta water as needed.
- Fold in shredded cheese and sprinkle crushed Doritos on top for crunch.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep Doritos separated until ready to serve to maintain crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: taco salad, pasta salad, easy recipes, summer salad, flavorful dishes