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Homemade Taco Pasta Salad

Homemade Taco Pasta Salad for Your Next Potluck Party

This Homemade Taco Pasta Salad is a vibrant, easy-to-make dish that's perfect for gatherings, blending taco flavors with pasta in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 16 oz Pasta (Rotini) Choose rotini for the best texture
  • 1 lb Ground Beef An 80/20 blend adds rich flavor
  • 4 tbsp Taco Seasoning Essential for classic taco taste
  • 1.5 cups Tomatoes (diced) Pat them dry to keep salad from getting soggy
  • 1 cup Bell Pepper (diced) Any color adds crunch and sweetness
  • 0.5 cup Red Onion (finely diced) Green onion is a great substitute
  • 2.5 cups Mexican Cheese Blend (shredded) Cheddar or dairy-free alternatives work too
  • 4 cups Lettuce (shredded) Iceberg or romaine are perfect choices
For the Dressing & Crunch
  • 16 oz French Dressing Tangy dressing ties it all together
  • 3 cups Nacho Cheese Chips (crushed) Add just before serving for crunch
  • Fresh Cilantro Optional garnish for extra freshness

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • large skillet
  • mixing bowl
  • spatula

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 16 oz of rotini and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  2. Brown the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook 1 lb of ground beef for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease.
  3. Season the Beef: Add 4 tbsp of taco seasoning to the beef and cook for 1-2 minutes until aromatic.
  4. Prepare the Vegetables: Dice 1.5 cups of tomatoes, 1 cup of bell peppers, 0.5 cup of red onion, and shred 4 cups of lettuce. Set aside.
  5. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the diced vegetables with cooled pasta, seasoned beef, and 2.5 cups of shredded cheese.
  6. Add Dressing and Tomatoes: Pour 16 oz of French dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Fold in diced tomatoes just before serving.
  7. Serve with Crunch: Top with 3 cups of crushed nacho cheese chips and fresh cilantro before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 15mg

Notes

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To maintain texture, add the dressing and chips just before serving.

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