Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make Taco Pasta Salad combining seasoned ground beef, rotini pasta, fresh vegetables, shredded cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips, all tossed in a tangy French dressing. Perfect for quick lunches, potlucks, or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 16 oz rotini pasta (or other medium-sized noodle)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1.5 cups chopped tomatoes
- 1 cup diced green bell pepper
- 2-3 cups Mexican-style shredded cheese
- 4 cups shredded lettuce
Dressing and Crunch
- 15 oz French dressing
- 3 cups slightly crushed nacho cheese or tortilla chips
- Chopped cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to cool to room temperature to prevent wilting the fresh ingredients later.
- Brown the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef thoroughly until no pink remains. Drain off the excess fat, then stir in the taco seasoning evenly. Allow to cool slightly before mixing with other ingredients.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, seasoned ground beef, chopped tomatoes, diced green bell pepper, shredded cheese, and shredded lettuce. Mix them together gently to combine evenly.
- Add dressing: Pour the French dressing over the salad mixture, tossing everything carefully so that all ingredients are coated in the tangy dressing without crushing the vegetables.
- Add crunch: Just before serving, fold in the crushed nacho cheese or tortilla chips for a delightful crunchy texture contrast to the creamy and tender salad components.
- Garnish and serve: If desired, sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top as a fresh, herbaceous garnish. Serve immediately to enjoy the salad at its best crispness and flavor.
Notes
- For best results, cool pasta completely before mixing to keep lettuce crisp.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Add jalapeños or hot sauce for extra spice if desired.
- French dressing can be swapped with a creamy ranch or salsa dressing for variation.
- Prepare the salad just before serving to maintain chip crunchiness and lettuce texture.
