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Taco Pasta Salad

Taco Pasta Salad: A Flavorful Twist on Quick Comfort Food

A quick and satisfying Taco Pasta Salad that combines the flavors of Mexican cuisine with rotini pasta.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dishes
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Rotini Pasta Feel free to swap with any short pasta like penne or fusilli.
For the Beef
  • 1 pound Lean Ground Beef Ground turkey or lentils can be used as alternatives.
For the Veggies
  • 1 cup Grape Tomatoes Diced regular tomatoes are a fine substitute.
  • 1 medium Red Bell Pepper Any color bell pepper works wonderfully.
  • 1/2 cup Green Onions Can be replaced with red onions or finely chopped shallots.
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro Parsley is a suitable substitute if you're not a fan.
For the Dressing
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Vegetable oil can be used if needed.
  • 1 cup Salsa Choose your favorite jarred variety or whisk up a fresh one.
For Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder Fresh garlic can substitute, adjust to taste.
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin
  • 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Oregano
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper
For the Finish
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese Monterey Jack or a Tex-Mex blend are excellent alternatives.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • medium skillet
  • large mixing bowl

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. In a medium skillet, heat olive oil. Add the ground beef and garlic powder, cook until browned, about 8-10 minutes. Add some salsa halfway through. Remove from heat.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cooled rotini with the beef mixture, grape tomatoes, red bell pepper, green onions, and cheddar cheese. Toss to distribute evenly.
  4. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and salsa, sprinkle in cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir gently until well combined.
  5. Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 10mg

Notes

Cool the beef before mixing to prevent melting the cheese. Adjust spices and salsa to taste for the best experience. This salad is great for potlucks and picnics!

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