Main Dishescarlsbadcravings5.0
Easy Taco Pasta Salad
This Taco Pasta Salad is swoon worthy for lunch, easy dinners, potlucks, barbecues or parties and will have everyone clamoring for more! It’s flavor-texture fireworks of the best taco fixings such as chili spiced ground beef or turkey, juicy tomatoes, hearty black beans, creamy avocados, spicy jalapenos, zesty cilantro and the best part – crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos – all doused in creamy Baja Catalina Dressing. This Taco Pasta Salad is easy to customize with your favorite ingredients, is make ahead friendly and can be enjoyed cold, room temperature or warmed. No matter how you serve it, this pasta salad recipe is destined to become a treasured family favorite!
👥 12 Servings⏱️ Prep & Cook: 50 min⏳ Prep: 35 min🔥 Cook: 15 min👤 Jen📖 carlsbadcravings
🥘 Ingredients
Check off ingredients as you prepare them:
🍳 Cookware
- bowl
- whisk
- skillet
📝 Preparation Steps
1
Whisk together all of the Dressing ingredients in a medium bowl; refrigerate.
2
Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions, just until al dente. Rinse with cold water and drain. Add to a very large serving bowl and toss with a drizzle of olive oil.
water2 tablespoons
3
Brown the meat in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off excess grease. Stir in all of the spices, followed by 2 tablespoons water and green chiles. Set aside to cool while you chop your veggies.
water2 tablespoons
4
Add the beef and the pasta salad ingredients to the pasta (beans through the cheese blend).
5
If serving immediately:
6
Proceed to add the avocados and lettuce. Toss with all of the dressing. Add the Doritos right before serving and toss again. Season to taste. If you expect leftovers, you may want to hold the Doritos and let everyone add them to their own servings; they will lose their crunch fairly quickly.
avocados, (ripe but slightly firm, chopped (optional))2
7
If not serving immediately:
8
Hold the lettuce, avocados and Doritos. Toss the pasta salad with HALF of the dressing, cover and refrigerate. Bring the pasta salad to room temperature before serving by letting it sit on the counter for ⏱️ 30 minutes or so. When ready to serve, add the lettuce, avocados and Doritos. Toss with remaining dressing. Season to taste. If you expect leftovers, you may want to hold the Doritos and let everyone add them to their own servings; they will lose their crunch fairly quickly.
avocados, (ripe but slightly firm, chopped (optional))2
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