Taco Pasta Salad

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Taco Pasta Salad is the perfect party side dish loaded with tri-colour rotini pasta, taco seasoned ground beef, iceberg lettuce, onions, tomatoes, green peppers, shredded cheese, salsa, ranch dressing and crumbled Doritos nacho chips.

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Taco Pasta Salad is the perfect side dish for potlucks and even makes a great main dish for an easy summer dinner.

This taco salad is packed with flavour and colour.

This beef taco salad recipe takes about thirty minutes from start to finish and serves ten to twelve people as a side dish.

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don’t miss out on any important tips and tricks!

To make this taco salad, I started by cooking some rotini noodles according to the directions on the package.

Then I drained the noodles and rinsed them well with cold water to cool them down.

While the noodles were cooking, I dumped some lean ground beef into a skillet over medium-high heat.

I crumbled the ground beef well as it cooked.

Once the ground beef was fully cooked, I drained the grease from the pan.

Then I added some taco seasoning and water to the pan.

I stirred until all of the ground beef was coated in the taco seasoning.

I continued cooking the ground beef mixture until no liquid remained in the pan.

Then I removed the pan from the heat and set the ground beef aside to cool.

I chopped some iceberg lettuce and diced some red onions and green bell peppers.

I also halved some grape tomatoes.

I transferred the cooked rotini noodles to a large mixing bowl.

I added the chopped lettuce to the bowl.

I also added the red onions, green peppers and tomatoes to the bowl.

Then I added some shredded Mexican cheese blend to the bowl.

I tossed all of the ingredients together well.

Then I added some chunky salsa and ranch dressing to the bowl.

I tossed until all of the ingredients were coated in the dressing.

Then I added the cooked ground beef to the bowl.

I tossed well again.

I added some crumbled Doritos nacho chips to the bowl right before serving.

I gently tossed them into the salad.

The taco salad should be served immediately after adding the Doritos as they will get soggy.

This ground beef taco pasta salad is sure to be a family favourite.

If you are looking for a tasty pasta salad recipe, then you need to try this Taco Pasta Salad!

More Pasta Salad Recipes You’ll Love…

PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE RECIPE CAN BE FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make This Taco Pasta Salad:

• 12 oz tri colour rotini noodles
• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 oz taco seasoning
• ⅓ cup water
• 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup diced red onions
• 1 cup diced green peppers
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
• ⅔ cup chunky salsa
• ⅔ cup ranch dressing
• 9.25 oz bag of Doritos, crumbled

How to Make Taco Pasta Salad:

1. Cook the rotini according to the directions on the package. Drain and rinse well with cold water to cool the noodles down.
2. While the rotini is cooking, dump the ground beef into a non stick skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Crumble the ground beef well as it cooks.
4. Once the ground beef is completely cooked, drained the grease from the pan.
5. Add the taco seasoning and water to the pan with the beef and stir well.
6. Continue cooking until no liquid remains in the pan.
7. Remove the pan from the heat and set the ground beef aside to cool.
8. Transfer the cooled rotini noodles to a large mixing bowl.
9. Add the chopped lettuce, red onions, green peppers, tomatoes and shredded cheese to the bowl. Toss well.
10. Add the salsa and ranch dressing to the bowl. Toss well.
11. Add the cooked ground beef to the bowl and toss again.
12. Add the crumbled Doritos to the bowl right before serving.
13. Toss gently.
14. Serve and enjoy!

FAQS:

How should I store taco pasta salad?

To store taco pasta salad, follow these simple steps:

1. Choose a storage container: Use an airtight container with a lid or a resealable plastic bag. Glass or plastic containers work well.
2. Portion and label: If you plan to store the salad for multiple meals, divide it into individual portions. Label the container or bag with the date and contents.
3. Store in the fridge: Place the container in the fridge and store it for up to 3-4 days. It is not recommended to store taco pasta salad at room temperature.

Note: Avoid adding any fresh or crunchy ingredients, such as the lettuce or the Doritos until just before serving to prevent them from becoming soggy. Also, remember to stir the pasta salad before serving to redistribute any dressing or seasonings that may have settled at the bottom of the container.

What can I serve with this Doritos taco salad?

Taco pasta salad is a delicious and filling dish that can be served on its own as a main course, or as a side dish alongside other complementary dishes. Here are some ideas for what to serve with taco pasta salad:

1. Cornbread: A warm slice of cornbread pairs well with the flavors of the taco pasta salad.
2. Chips and Salsa: A serving of tortilla chips with some fresh salsa can add an extra crunch and a touch of spice to the meal.
3. Grilled Vegetables: Grilled vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, and onions make a great side dish and add a healthy balance to the meal.
4. Roasted Sweet Potatoes: Roasted sweet potatoes add a sweet and savory complement to the taco pasta salad and can be served warm or at room temperature.
5. Margaritas: For a festive occasion, consider serving margaritas or other Mexican-inspired drinks to complement the flavors of the taco pasta salad.

These are just a few ideas for what to serve with taco pasta salad. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different combinations to find your own favorite pairing.

What substitutions could I make?

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