Description
Taco Pasta Salad is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish combining seasoned ground beef, pasta shells, sharp cheddar cheese, fresh lettuce, salsa, crunchy Doritos chips, and tangy Western dressing. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or a quick weeknight meal, this chilled salad offers a delightful mix of textures and bold Mexican-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 2 lbs Ground Beef (Ground Turkey, Chicken, or Pork can be used as alternatives)
- 1/2 Yellow Onion, diced
- 2 oz Taco Seasoning
- 1/4 cup Water
Pasta and Cheese
- 16 oz Medium-sized pasta shells (or any short-sized pasta)
- 9 oz Sharp Cheddar cheese (or any Mexican style cheese), grated
Vegetables and Extras
- 1/2 Head of Lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup Salsa
- 14.5 oz Bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos (about half the bag, or less)
- 8-12 oz Western Dressing (French or Catalina dressing can be used as substitutes)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente. Immediately drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until it is completely cooled. This stops the cooking process and prevents the pasta from sticking.
- Prepare Taco Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef together with the diced onion until the meat is fully cooked. Drain any excess grease if necessary. Add the taco seasoning and water, then let it simmer for a few minutes so the flavors meld. Remove from heat and allow the taco meat mixture to cool.
- Combine Main Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooled pasta, taco meat, grated cheese, and salsa until everything is well incorporated.
- Final Assembly & Serve: Just before serving, add in the chopped lettuce, broken Doritos chips, and Western dressing. Toss everything together until evenly mixed. Serve the salad chilled for a refreshing and crunchy meal.
Notes
- This salad can be made up to one day in advance. Prepare the recipe up to step 3 and refrigerate. Add chips, lettuce, and dressing only right before serving to maintain crispness.
- If Western dressing is unavailable, French or Catalina dressing make good alternatives.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or pork depending on preference or dietary needs.
- Any short pasta such as rotini, penne, or elbows can be used instead of pasta shells.
- Adjust the amount of Doritos to your preference for crunchiness; adding them too early will cause sogginess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
