Description
This Taco Pasta Salad is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish combining seasoned ground beef, rotini pasta, fresh vegetables, mild cheddar cheese, and tangy Catalina dressing. Topped with crunchy Nacho Doritos and optional iceberg lettuce, it’s perfect for casual gatherings or as a hearty meal on its own.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked al dente according to package instructions
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded, finely diced
- 1 medium Roma tomato, finely diced
- 1 can (15.25 ounces) corn kernels, drained
- ½ cup (74.5 g) red bell pepper, finely diced
- ½ cup (80 g) yellow onion, diced
Dairy and Dressing
- 2 cups (226 g) mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (272 g) Catalina dressing
Toppings
- 1 bag (9.25 ounces) Nacho Doritos, slightly crushed, reserving a few for topping
- Diced iceberg lettuce, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to break up the meat into small pieces for even cooking.
- Add Taco Seasoning: Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning over the cooked beef and stir well to combine and evenly coat the meat. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooked and drained rotini pasta, finely diced jalapeño pepper, diced Roma tomato, drained corn kernels, red bell pepper, yellow onion, shredded mild cheddar cheese, and the seasoned taco meat. Pour in the cup of Catalina dressing and toss everything together until well mixed.
- Add Crunchy Doritos: Just before serving, add the slightly crushed Nacho Doritos to the salad and gently toss to combine, ensuring the chips stay somewhat crunchy.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the salad garnished with the reserved whole or crushed Doritos and optional diced iceberg lettuce for added freshness and crunch.
Notes
- Cook the pasta al dente to avoid a mushy texture in the salad.
- For less spice, reduce or omit the jalapeño pepper.
- Catalina dressing adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor; you can substitute with a similar bottled dressing if unavailable.
- Add the Doritos just before serving to maintain their crunchiness and texture.
- This salad can be prepared ahead; keep Doritos and lettuce separate until serving.
