Taco Pasta Salad (Printable Version)
Tender rotini pasta with seasoned beef, black beans, corn, and vegetables in a tangy lime cream dressing.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta Base
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
→ Creamy Taco 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 - Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to stop cooking process, and set aside in large bowl.
02 - In skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef or turkey until fully cooked, breaking apart with spatula. Drain excess fat and allow to cool slightly.
03 - Add cooked pasta, meat (if using), cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, bell pepper, lettuce, cheese, and olives to large mixing bowl.
04 - Whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, taco seasoning, lime juice, salt, and pepper in small bowl until completely smooth and well combined.
05 - Pour dressing over salad mixture. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with creamy dressing.
06 - Fold in crushed tortilla chips and fresh cilantro immediately before serving to maintain optimal texture.
07 - Serve chilled or at room temperature. Best enjoyed within same day for optimal texture and flavor.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
- The creamy zesty dressing makes everything taste better than you expect
- It travels beautifully and actually tastes better after flavors mingle for an hour
- You can prep everything ahead and assemble in under ten minutes
02 -
- Rinse the pasta until it is genuinely cold or the lettuce will wilt immediately
- Wait until the last possible minute to add tortilla chips or they become disappointingly soggy
- The salad needs at least fifteen minutes of resting time for flavors to really develop
03 -
- Taste the pasta after dressing but before adding chips to adjust seasoning
- Extra taco seasoning in the dressing prevents bland pasta syndrome