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–+ servings
Homemade Taco Pasta Salad

Savor the Flavor: Homemade Taco Pasta Salad Bliss

This Homemade Taco Pasta Salad is a quick, flavorful dish perfect for potlucks and busy weeknights, blending taco flavors with hearty pasta.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad Base
  • 8 ounces Rotini Pasta Cook until al dente
  • 1 pound Ground Beef 80/20 blend recommended
  • 1 packet Taco Seasoning Adjust to taste
For the Fresh Veggies
  • 1 cup Diced Tomatoes Use ripe tomatoes
  • 1 medium Bell Pepper Diced small
  • 1/2 medium Red Onion Finely diced
  • 2 cups Romaine Lettuce Shredded into strips
For the Toppings
  • 1 cup Mexican Cheese Opt for a blend
  • 1 cup Crushed Nacho Cheese Chips Add before serving
  • 1 handful Fresh Cilantro For garnish
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup French Dressing Wish-Bone recommended

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large skillet
  • Colander
  • large mixing bowl

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, breaking apart until fully cooked. Drain excess grease.
  3. Add taco seasoning to the cooked beef, stirring for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Prepare the veggies by dicing tomatoes, bell pepper, and red onion, and shredding romaine lettuce.
  5. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, beef, bell pepper, red onion, lettuce, and Mexican cheese. Toss gently.
  6. Drizzle French dressing over the salad and stir gently to coat, then fold in diced tomatoes.
  7. Before serving, sprinkle crushed nacho cheese chips and fresh cilantro over the salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 10mg

Notes

Cool the pasta before mixing and add fresh tomatoes last to maintain their juiciness.

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