Taco Pasta Salad (Printable version)
Tender pasta tossed with taco toppings, beans, corn, and zesty cream dressing for a satisfying Tex-Mex inspired dish.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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 Make It:
01 - Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking process.
02 - Brown ground beef or turkey in skillet over medium heat, breaking apart while cooking. Drain excess fat and let cool.
03 - In large bowl, toss together cooked pasta, meat if using, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, bell pepper, lettuce, cheese, and olives.
04 - Whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, taco seasoning, lime juice, salt, and pepper until completely smooth.
05 - Pour dressing over salad mixture and toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated.
06 - Just before serving, fold in crushed tortilla chips and fresh cilantro.
07 - Serve immediately chilled or at room temperature.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Its the perfect solution for feeding a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen
- The creamy zesty dressing keeps everyone coming back for seconds
- You can prep everything ahead and toss it together right before serving
02 -
- The pasta absorbs the dressing as it sits, so if you're making this ahead, reserve some dressing to toss in right before serving
- Tortilla chips will get soggy if they sit in the dressing too long, always add them as the very last step
03 -
- Rinse the pasta under cold water until it's completely cool to stop the cooking process and prevent it from becoming mushy
- If the dressing seems too thick after refrigeration, whisk in a teaspoon of water or lime juice to loosen it up