Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make Taco Pasta Salad combining seasoned ground beef, pasta shells, sharp cheddar cheese, fresh lettuce, salsa, and crunchy nacho cheese Doritos, all tossed in zesty Western dressing for a perfect crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 2 lbs ground beef (ground turkey, chicken, or pork can be used)
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 2 oz taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
Pasta and Dairy
- 16 oz medium-sized pasta shells (any short pasta will work)
- 9 oz sharp cheddar or any Mexican style cheese, grated
Vegetables and Mix-Ins
- 1/2 head of lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup salsa
Extras and Dressing
- 14.5 oz bag of nacho cheese Doritos (use about half the bag)
- 8-12 oz Western dressing (French or Catalina dressing can be substituted)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta in salted boiling water until just al dente. Immediately drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled to stop the cooking process.
- Prepare the taco meat: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion until fully cooked. Drain excess grease if needed. Add the taco seasoning and water, then let it simmer for a few minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool.
- Combine main ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooled pasta, the taco meat mixture, grated cheese, and salsa until evenly combined.
- Add finishing touches: Just before serving, add in the crushed Doritos chips, chopped lettuce, and Western dressing. Mix well to combine everything. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Notes
- Prepare this salad up to the third step a day ahead for convenience.
- Add the chips, lettuce, and dressing just before serving to keep the chips crunchy.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or pork according to preference.
- If Western dressing is not available, French or Catalina dressing works well as a substitute.
- Use any short pasta like rotini or macaroni if pasta shells are unavailable.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
