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Easy Creamy Taco Pasta Salad

Close-up of creamy taco pasta salad with elbow macaroni, ground beef, corn, black beans, and tomatoes in a white bowl.
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Make this simple, crowd-pleasing Taco Pasta Salad featuring seasoned ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a creamy ranch dressing. It is perfect for potlucks or quick weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni or rotini pasta
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 packet taco seasoning mix
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Optional: 2 cups crushed Doritos or tortilla chips for topping

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Stir the taco seasoning and water into the cooked ground beef. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has mostly evaporated. Remove from heat and let the meat cool slightly.
  4. While the meat cools, prepare the dressing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ranch dressing, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  5. In a very large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
  6. Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta mixture. Add the chopped cilantro. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
  7. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend. This recipe is great for meal planning.
  8. If using, sprinkle the crushed Doritos or tortilla chips over the salad just before serving for crunch.

Notes

  • For best flavor, make this salad several hours ahead of time.
  • You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef.
  • If you are looking for alternatives to traditional cooking methods, consider using a sous-vide precision cooker for perfectly cooked meat, though this recipe is designed for stovetop cooking.
  • This salad pairs well with meal planning for lunches throughout the week.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/easy-creamy-taco-pasta-salad-recipe/