Taco Pasta Salad

Taco Pasta Salad with Doritos puts a zesty twist on regular pasta salad! Made with Mexican spices, ground beef, and fresh veggies, it’s tossed in creamy chipotle dressing and topped with cheesy tortilla chips!

Taco Pasta Salad

It’s barbecue season, and this Taco Pasta Salad Recipe is a must for sharing with friends and family. Made with Mexican spices and everyone’s favorite cheddar tortilla chips, this recipe gives classic pasta salad a zesty twist! Pasta salad is definitely a cookout staple, and this tasty version is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

What’s In Taco Pasta Salad?

It blends tender spiral pasta with ground beef, taco seasoning, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, peppers, onions, black beans, lime juice, and cilantro, which add loads of south-of-the-border flavor. Everything is tossed in creamy chipotle dressing (or French Dressing or Thousand Island Dressing if you prefer). The finishing touch is cheesy Doritos tortilla chips for one final tasty kick. You could also make this recipe with ground turkey instead of traditional ground beef.

How To Make Taco Pasta Salad:

I love pasta salads because they are so simple to make and it usually makes a TON which is great for potlucks and BBQs!

• Begin by cooking the pasta according to package directions until al dente, drain and add to a large bowl.
• Then, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through. Drain any excess oil and add the ground beef to the pasta.
• Stir in the taco seasonings and mix with the beef and pasta until evenly coated.
• Next, add in the cheese, pepper, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, black beans, lime juice, and jalapeno pepper (if using) and toss to combine.
• Then, add in the dressing and toss to coat the salad evenly. I recommend making the pasta salad at least 2 hours before you want to serve it and chilling it the fridge so the flavor can build.
• Finally, add the shredded lettuce and crushed Doritos as close to serving as possible so they don’t get soggy.

Yep, this Taco Pasta Salad is a favorite for kids and adults. Youngsters love the addicting taste of these chips, and we grown-ups do too, plus they offer a bit of nostalgia. I usually serve a bowl of Doritos or Fritosalongside Taco Pasta Salad so guests can grab an extra handful. I’ve definitely been known to scoop up the dressed noodles with a chip — no fork needed! In fact, this stuff is so hearty, it can be a meal in itself, much like my Taco Salad. All that’s missing is an ice-cold margarita to wash it all down, amirite? Of course, this dish tastes amazing alongside hamburgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken, too. One note: if you’re making this recipe in advance or plan on having leftovers, keep the chips and lettuce separate until just before serving. That way, the chips won’t get soggy (plus people sometimes like adding their own). When it comes to summer gatherings, you really can’t go wrong with pasta salad. However, if you want to switch up your side dish game, this Taco Pasta Salad Recipe definitely fits the bill! Summer is nearly here. Bring this delicious dish to your next barbecue and watch it disappear!

More Delicious Pasta Salad Recipes:

• Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
• Antipasti Pasta Salad
• Classic Macaroni Salad
• BLT Pasta Salad
• Tuna Pasta Salad

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