Description
Cowboy Pasta Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines rotini pasta with ground beef, crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a creamy southwestern dressing. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or as a satisfying side dish, this recipe is sure to be a hit with its robust flavors and easy preparation.
Ingredients
12 oz rotini pasta (or your favorite pasta)
1 lb ground beef
6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 avocado, diced
½ red onion, diced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
For the Dressing:
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the rotini pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat and let it cool.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, taco seasoning, and optional hot sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine pasta, ground beef, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, corn, black beans, cheddar cheese, avocado, and red onion.
- Add the Dressing: Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
- Serve: Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, omit the ground beef and bacon. Add extra vegetables or tofu as desired.
To prevent the pasta from becoming mushy, cook it al dente and rinse under cold water.
The salad can be made up to 2 days in advance. Add a bit more dressing if needed before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6-8 servings
- Calories: 450 kcal per serving
Keywords: Cowboy Pasta Salad, southwestern pasta salad, hearty pasta salad recipe, potluck salad, BBQ side dish