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Taco Pasta Salad with Doritos Crunch

Taco Pasta Salad with Doritos Crunch: A Fun Flavor Adventure!

Taco Pasta Salad with Doritos Crunch is a quick, versatile dish that blends bold taco flavors with crunchy pasta, ideal for busy nights and gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dishes
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 lb Ground Beef Can substitute with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives.
  • 1 packet Taco Seasoning Store-bought or homemade.
  • 8 oz Rotini Pasta Whole wheat or legume-based pasta can be used.
  • 1 medium Jalapeño Pepper Adjust quantity based on spice preference.
  • 2 medium Roma Tomato Cherry tomatoes can be used for sweetness.
  • 1 cup Corn Kernels Canned or frozen is fine.
  • 1 medium Red Bell Pepper Any color bell pepper can be swapped in.
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion Green onions can be used for a milder taste.
  • 1 cup Mild Cheddar Cheese Lighter cheese options are available.
  • 1 cup Catalina Dressing Ranch dressing is a substitute.
  • 3 oz Nacho Doritos Add just before serving for crunch.
  • 2 cups Iceberg Lettuce Optional for garnish.

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • large pot
  • colander
  • Mixing Bowl

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef and cook for about 8–10 minutes until browned.
  2. Stir in taco seasoning and a splash of water, mixing thoroughly. Remove from heat.
  3. In a large pot, bring salted water to boil, add rotini pasta, and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, diced jalapeño, chopped Roma tomato, corn, red bell pepper, yellow onion, and cheddar cheese. Toss with Catalina dressing.
  5. Fold in the cooled taco-seasoned beef into the salad mixture.
  6. Just before serving, fold in crushed Doritos for crunch.
  7. Garnish with additional Doritos and optional iceberg lettuce. Serve immediately or refrigerate to enjoy chilled.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 20gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This salad can be customized with different proteins and vegetables. Add Doritos just before serving to maintain their crunch.

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