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Taco Pasta Salad

Zesty Taco Pasta Salad: A Crowd-Pleasing Summer Delight

Enjoy a vibrant and flavorful Taco Pasta Salad perfect for summer gatherings and potlucks!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter option
  • ½ cup Sour Cream can replace with more mayonnaise or a vegan alternative
  • ¼ cup Milk use buttermilk for extra flavor or omit for thicker consistency
  • 1 teaspoon Lime Zest fresh lime juice can be an alternative if zest isn't available
  • 3 tablespoons Fresh Lime Juice essential for balancing flavors
  • 1 piece Jalapeño Pepper, diced omit for milder salad or use bell pepper for crunch
  • 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar can be omitted if undesired
  • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper adjust according to your taste preference
For the Salad
  • 8 ounces Spiral Pasta substitute with farfalle or penne for a different shape
  • 1 pound Ground Beef (80/20) substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option
  • 2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning homemade seasoning can be used for customization
  • 1 teaspoon Salt adjust based on taco seasoning content
  • ½ cup Chopped Red Onion green onions work for a milder flavor
  • 1 piece Diced Red Pepper substitute with any bell pepper variety
  • 1 cup Grape Tomatoes, halved can be replaced with cherry tomatoes or regular diced tomatoes
  • ¼ cup Chopped Cilantro substitute with parsley or omit if preferred
  • ½ cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese substitute with Mexican blend cheese
  • ½ cup Monterrey Jack Cheese can swap for Colby Jack
  • 2 cups Crushed Nacho Doritos replace with tortilla chips for a homemade topping
  • 1 piece Diced Avocado substitute with diced cucumbers for a lighter version
For Garnish
  • Cilantro optional but recommended for visual appeal
  • Crushed Doritos optional but recommended for visual appeal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Colander
  • plastic wrap

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, lime zest, fresh lime juice, diced jalapeño, granulated sugar, and black pepper until creamy and well combined. Set aside.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add spiral pasta. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until al dente. Drain pasta and rinse under cool water.
  3. In a skillet, add ground beef and cook for about 7-10 minutes, breaking apart until fully browned. Drain excess fat, stir in taco seasoning, and let cool before mixing with pasta.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta and ground beef with chopped red onion, diced red pepper, halved grape tomatoes, and chopped cilantro. Pour in the dressing and toss gently until evenly coated.
  5. Cover with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for 4-6 hours or ideally overnight to allow flavors to meld.
  6. Before serving, check the consistency of dressing and adjust with milk if needed. Fold in shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, crushed Doritos, and diced avocado.
  7. Transfer to serving platter and garnish with remaining crushed Doritos and fresh cilantro. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 20gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg

Notes

For best taste, prepare your Taco Pasta Salad ahead of time. Add avocado and Doritos just before serving to maintain crunch.

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