Quick Taco Pasta Salad: Easy, Flavor-Packed Dinner Delight
Quick Taco Pasta Salad is an easy, flavorful dish that's perfect for dinner, potlucks, and gatherings.
Equipment
- - Large pot
- - Skillet
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 pound Ground Beef opt for 85/15 or 90/10 fat content
- 1 packet Taco Seasoning McCormick's Mild is recommended
- 16 ounces Rotini cook until al dente
- 1 cup Green Pepper finely diced
- 1 medium Yellow Onion small diced
- 1 cup Grape Tomatoes halved
- 1 cup Cheddar Jack Cheese Sargento Shredded preferred
- 4 cups Iceberg Lettuce shredded into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup Black Olives sliced
For the Dressing
- 1 cup French Dressing Wish-Bone is a great choice
For the Crunch
- 2 cups Doritos crushed before serving
Instructions
How to Make Quick Taco Pasta Salad
- Start by dicing the green pepper and onion, halving the grape tomatoes, shredding the iceberg lettuce, and setting aside the sliced black olives.
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the rotini until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and cool the pasta immediately.
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it apart until fully browned. Stir in the taco seasoning and a splash of water; simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rotini, seasoned beef, prepared veggies, shredded cheddar jack cheese, and sliced black olives. Toss until well mixed.
- Pour the French dressing over the salad mixture and stir gently until coated.
- Just before serving, crush the Doritos and stir them into the salad gently.
Notes
Optional: Garnish with extra cheese or fresh cilantro for an added burst of flavor. For best results, add dressing and Doritos just before serving.