Summer is a great time for salads. Pasta salad is one of my favorites, because it’s quick, healthy, and filling enough to make a whole meal. But I also really love taco salad, because it’s so hearty and full of zesty Mexican spice.
This Easy Taco Pasta Salad has all the features of a great taco salad – seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, and crushed corn chips. But instead of being served in a crispy tortilla shell, it’s all tossed with pasta and some extra veggies and dressing – just like a pasta salad.
TACO PASTA SALAD
Taco Pasta Salad is a delicious pasta salad made with Mexican flavors, seasoned ground beef, crunchy nacho cheese chips, and a delicious creamy dressing! Perfect for a summer potluck.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 16 Servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 2–3cups Horizon Organic Mexican Style Shredded Cheese
- 4cups shredded lettuce (you can buy this already shredded at some stores)
- 15oz French Dressing
- 3cups slightly crushed nacho cheese or tortilla chips
- chopped cilantro(optional)
- 1lb ground beef
- 16oz rotini pasta (or other medium sized noodle)
- 3TBS taco seasoning
- 5cups chopped tomatoes
- 1cup diced green bell pepper
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook rotini noodles according to package directions. Rinse off in cold water.
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In a large skillet, cook ground beef. Drain grease.
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Mix in taco seasoning.
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In a large bowl add pasta, ground beef, tomatoes, bell pepper, cheese, and lettuce.
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Pour French Dressing over the top.
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Stir everything together.
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Cover and place in fridge if you’re not ready to serve yet.
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When ready to serve add in crushed chips (so they don’t get soggy).
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Top with chopped cilantro if desired.