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Quick Taco Pasta Salad

Quick Taco Pasta Salad: A Flavorful Twist for Your Next Potluck

Quick Taco Pasta Salad is a vibrant and satisfying dish perfect for potlucks, combining the zest of tacos with the comfort of pasta.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 pound Ground Beef or turkey or plant-based substitute
  • 1 packet Taco Seasoning such as McCormick's Mild
  • 12 ounces Rotini Pasta gluten-free option available
  • 1 medium Green Pepper any bell pepper
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion or green onions for a milder flavor
  • 1 cup Grape Tomatoes or diced regular tomatoes
  • 1 cup Cheddar Jack Cheese or dairy-free alternative
  • 2 cups Iceberg Lettuce or romaine
  • 1/2 cup Black Olives optional
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup French Dressing or cilantro lime dressing as a twist
For the Crunch
  • 2 cups Doritos keep separate until serving

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • large skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Spoon

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Prep the Vegetables: Wash and dice the green pepper and yellow onion. Halve the grape tomatoes and shred the iceberg lettuce.
  2. Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, boil salted water and cook the rotini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  3. Brown the Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the ground beef for 5-7 minutes until browned, stir in taco seasoning and splash of water, simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  4. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, seasoned beef, diced vegetables, shredded cheese, and black olives if desired. Toss gently.
  5. Add the Dressing: Drizzle French dressing over the salad and gently fold until evenly coated.
  6. Top with Doritos: Crush and sprinkle Doritos on top just before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 650mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For the best freshness, store dressing and crunchy toppings separately until serving. This salad can be prepped in advance, holding back lettuce and dressing until serving time.

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