Print

Taco Pasta Salad Recipe

Taco Pasta Salad Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 17 reviews

This Taco Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining seasoned ground beef, al dente rotini pasta, fresh vegetables, and a tangy Catalina dressing. Topped with crunchy Nacho Doritos and optional iceberg lettuce, it’s a perfect crowd-pleaser for potlucks, lunches, or casual dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasoning

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning

Pasta and Vegetables

  • 8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente according to package instructions
  • 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
  • 1 medium Roma tomato, finely diced
  • 1 can (15.25 ounces) corn kernels, drained
  • ½ cup (74.5 g) red bell pepper, finely diced
  • ½ cup (80 g) yellow onion, diced

Dressing and Toppings

  • 2 cups (226 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup (272 g) Catalina dressing
  • 1 bag (9.25 ounces) Nacho Doritos, slightly crushed (reserve a few for topping)
  • Diced iceberg lettuce (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is fully browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes.
  2. Season beef: Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the cooked ground beef, stirring well to evenly coat the meat, then remove from heat and set aside.
  3. Prepare pasta and vegetables: Meanwhile, cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and let cool slightly. Finely dice the jalapeño pepper, Roma tomato, red bell pepper, and chop the yellow onion.
  4. Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked pasta, seasoned ground beef, diced jalapeño, tomato, corn kernels, red bell pepper, onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and Catalina dressing. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  5. Add Doritos: When ready to serve, add the slightly crushed Nacho Doritos to the salad. Toss gently to combine while preserving some crunch.
  6. Garnish and serve: Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or plate, garnish with additional reserved Doritos on top, and optionally sprinkle diced iceberg lettuce for added freshness. Serve immediately to enjoy the crisp texture of the chips.

Notes

  • For a spicier kick, leave some seeds in the jalapeño or add hot sauce.
  • Use reduced-fat cheese and dressing for a lighter version.
  • This salad is best served fresh to keep the Doritos crunchy.
  • Can be prepared a few hours in advance, but add Doritos just before serving.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but texture may soften.

Nutrition

Keywords: Taco pasta salad, ground beef pasta salad, Tex-Mex pasta salad, easy pasta salad recipe, Doritos salad

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/taco-pasta-salad-recipe/