Taco Pasta Salad (Print Version)

Flavorful Tex-Mex fusion with tender pasta, fresh vegetables, and creamy zesty dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 (optional)
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 Steps:

01 - Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to stop cooking process, and set aside to cool completely.
02 - If using meat, brown ground beef or turkey in skillet over medium heat until fully cooked, breaking apart during cooking. Drain excess fat and allow to cool.
03 - In large mixing bowl, toss together cooked pasta, meat (if using), cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn, red onion, bell pepper, lettuce, cheese, and olives until evenly distributed.
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 and toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with creamy mixture.
06 - Just before serving, fold in crushed tortilla chips and fresh cilantro to maintain crunch and freshness.
07 - Serve chilled or at room temperature. Do not refrigerate with chips added, as they will become soggy.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The creamy zesty dressing clings to every spiral of pasta so each bite packs all the taco flavor you love
  • You can prep everything ahead and throw it together in minutes for effortless entertaining
  • Its somehow both refreshing and satisfying all at once
02 -
  • The pasta absorbs dressing as it sits, so make extra dressing if you plan to serve this the next day
  • Never add the tortilla chips ahead of time or theyll turn into sad soggy mush
  • This salad tastes best after chilling for at least an hour so all those bold flavors can really get friendly with each other
03 -
  • Reserve a handful of cheese to sprinkle on top right before serving for that gorgeous presentation
  • If the dressing feels too thick, thin it with a teaspoon of water rather than more lime juice

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