Description
A vibrant and flavorful Taco Pasta Salad combining seasoned ground beef, rotini pasta, fresh vegetables, and a zesty French dressing, topped with crunchy Doritos for a delightful Tex-Mex twist. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or casual family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef, browned
- 1 box rotini pasta, cooked and rinsed
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 can chili beans
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
- 1 1/2 cups French dressing
- 1 bag nacho cheese Doritos, lightly crushed
Garnishes
- Sour cream, for garnish
- Additional green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, brown 1 pound of lean ground beef until fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add Taco Seasoning: Stir in 1 packet of taco seasoning to the cooked beef, adding a small amount of water as per seasoning packet instructions, then simmer for a few minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Prepare Pasta and Beans: Cook rotini pasta according to package directions, rinse under cold water to cool, and drain well. Drain and rinse 1 can of chili beans to reduce excess sauce if desired.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, seasoned ground beef, chili beans, halved cherry tomatoes, shredded Mexican cheese, shredded iceberg lettuce, and sliced green onions.
- Add Dressing: Pour 1 1/2 cups of French dressing over the mixed ingredients and toss thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Chill the Salad: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill completely.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, gently fold in the lightly crushed nacho cheese Doritos to retain some crunch. Garnish with dollops of sour cream and extra sliced green onions for freshness and presentation.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked black beans or a plant-based meat alternative.
- Adjust the amount of French dressing based on preference for creaminess and tanginess.
- Adding avocado or jalapeño slices can enhance texture and spice level.
- This salad is best served chilled but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days for optimal freshness.
- To keep Doritos crunchy, add them right before serving.
