Taco Pasta Salad (Printable)
Flavorful fusion of taco ingredients and tender pasta in creamy zesty dressing
# What You'll 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 Steps:
01 - Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse under cold water to stop cooking, and set aside to cool completely.
02 - In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef or turkey until fully cooked, breaking apart while cooking. Drain excess fat and let cool.
03 - In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, cooked meat, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, bell pepper, lettuce, cheese, and olives.
04 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, taco seasoning, lime juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
05 - Pour dressing over salad ingredients. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
06 - Immediately before serving, fold in crushed tortilla chips and fresh cilantro to maintain texture and freshness.
07 - Serve chilled or at room temperature. Best enjoyed the same day for optimal texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Its the ultimate crowd pleaser that disappears faster than you can serve it
- You can prep everything ahead and toss it together in minutes
02 -
- The tortilla chips will get soggy if you add them too early, so fold them in right before serving or serve them on the side for people to add themselves
- This salad tastes best after it has chilled for at least an hour so all those flavors can really get to know each other
03 -
- Rinse your pasta under cold water until it is completely cool to stop it from continuing to cook and becoming mushy
- Taste your dressing before adding it to the salad since different taco seasoning brands have wildly different salt levels