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Beef Taco Pasta Salad

Beef Taco Pasta Salad: A Flavorful Twist on Taco Night!

This Beef Taco Pasta Salad is a fun fusion bringing the savory goodness of tacos and the heartiness of pasta, making it a perfect crowd-pleaser for any gathering.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Beef
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 lb Ground Beef Opt for 80/20 for flavor or substitute with ground turkey/chicken.
  • 1 packet Taco Seasoning Use McCormick for balanced spice.
  • 8 oz Rotini Pasta Cooked al dente, can replace with any short pasta.
  • 1 medium Jalapeño Remove seeds for less spice.
  • 2 medium Roma Tomatoes Substitute with cherry tomatoes if desired.
  • 1 cup Corn Use drained canned corn for convenience.
  • 1 medium Red Bell Pepper Chopped.
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion Chopped.
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese Shred for easy mixing.
  • 1 can Black Beans Drained and rinsed.
  • 1 cup Catalina Dressing Kraft’s classic suits best.
  • 2 cups Nacho Doritos Add just before serving.
  • 2 cups Iceberg Lettuce Fresh garnish, can be omitted.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • large skillet
  • cutting board
  • spatula

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Step 1: Cook the Pasta - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables - Dice the jalapeño, Roma tomatoes, red bell pepper, and yellow onion. Shred the cheddar cheese and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Cook the Ground Beef - Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the ground beef for 8-10 minutes until browned, draining excess fat.
  4. Step 4: Season the Beef - Sprinkle taco seasoning over the browned beef and stir for 1-2 minutes to infuse flavor. Remove from heat.
  5. Step 5: Combine the Ingredients - In a large bowl, mix cooled pasta, seasoned beef, vegetables, corn, and black beans together.
  6. Step 6: Dress the Salad - Pour Catalina dressing over the mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
  7. Step 7: Add Crunch - Crush Nacho Doritos and fold them into the salad just before serving.
  8. Step 8: Serve and Enjoy - Portion the salad into bowls and garnish with extra Doritos on top.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 30gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 8gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; keep Doritos separate until serving.

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