Taco Pasta Salad 🌮🍝
This Taco Pasta Salad is a deliciously fresh and zesty dish, combining the hearty flavors of tacos with the creaminess of pasta salad! Perfect for a picnic, potluck, or family dinner.
Ingredients:
16 oz rotini pasta (or other medium-sized noodle)
1 lb ground beef
3 tablespoons taco seasoning
1.5 cups chopped tomatoes
1 cup diced green bell pepper
2-3 cups Mexican-style shredded cheese
4 cups shredded lettuce
Instructions:
Cook the Pasta:
Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool it down. Set aside.
Cook the Ground Beef:
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain any excess fat.
Add the taco seasoning to the beef along with a splash of water (about 1/4 cup). Stir to combine, and let simmer for 2-3 minutes until the beef is well coated with the seasoning. Remove from heat and allow it to cool.
Prepare the Veggies:
While the beef is cooling, chop the tomatoes, green bell pepper, and shred the lettuce.
Assemble the Salad:
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, taco-seasoned beef, chopped tomatoes, diced bell pepper, shredded lettuce, and Mexican-style shredded cheese.
Optional: Add Dressing:
For extra creaminess, you can add ranch dressing or sour cream to the salad, mixing it in to your desired consistency. You can also drizzle a bit of salsa for more flavor!
Serve:
Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.
Pro Tip:
For an extra crunch, top with crushed tortilla chips or a sprinkle of jalapeños for some spice! 🌶️