Taco Pasta Salad Recipe

For all the taco lovers out there, here is an easy-to-make Taco Pasta Salad that is very satisfying and delicious.  

My family loves tacos and pasta salads, so infusing ingredients for the two is the best of two popular salads and a marriage made in heaven.  Adjust to use your favorite taco ingredients. Try making this Taco Pasta Salad recipe for your family!

Taco Pasta Salad with graphic

Taco Pasta Salad Recipe:
Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Fusion
Keyword: Taco Pasta Salad Recipe
Servings: 4 -6 servings
Ingredients
  • 1 (16-ounce) package pasta of your choice (such as bowtie, spiral, penne, or rotini)
  • 1 to 1 1/2 pounds ground beef (hamburger)
  • 1 (1.25-ounce) package of taco seasoning
  • 4 to 6 green onions, chopped
  • 2 cups tomatoes, seeded and chopped
  • 1 cup black olives, sliced
  • 2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup Catalina Salad Dressing***
  • 2 cups avocados, peeled and sliced (optional)
Garnishment Options:
Instructions
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions to al dente.  Learn How To Cook Pasta Properly.  When pasta is done, drain and rinse with cold water; draining well before using.  Transfer drained pasta into a large serving bowl and set aside.

  2. While pasta is cooking, brown the ground beef until it is almost done and there is still a little pinkness, drain off and discard the fat.  Add the taco seasoning and stir until combined.  Continue cooking until ground beef is fully browned.  Remove from heat and let cool.  Note: If you do not let ground beef fully cool before adding to pasta, the cheese will melt when added.

  3. To the large bowl of pasta, add the cooled ground beef, green onions, tomatoes, black olives, shredded cheese, and beans.  Lightly toss together to evenly distribute ingredients into the pasta.  Add the salad dressing and toss with the pasta salad to coat all the ingredients.  Add additional salad dressing if you prefer a wetter salad.

  4. Right before serving, you can mix in the optional avocados (squeeze a little lemon over the avocados to keep them from browning).

  5. Taco Pasta Salad  Taco Pasta Salad

  6. Always serve pasta salads at room temperature so the flavors will really shine.  If you must refrigerate the salad, make sure to return it to room temperature before serving.  The dressing usually soaks into the pasta when stored.  So, if serving later, you may need to add a little extra salad dressing right before serving.

  7. Serves many.

  8.  

Recipe Notes

* May use canned diced tomatoes (drained) if you do not have fresh tomatoes on hand.

** Canned black beans or pinto beans (rinsed and drained) may be substituted.

*** French Salad Dressing may also be used, if desired.

More Delicious Taco Salad Recipes:

Doritos Taco Salad
This is a very popular taco salad garnished with Doritos tortilla chips.  This salad is served at many potlucks and picnics.  It usually goes fast, so load up your plate as it is very addicting salad!

Taco Salad In A Bag
ince I love tacos and taco salad, this Taco Salad in a bag is the perfect camping or concessions stand meal!  This concept stems from the Frito pie also known as walking taco, Frito boat, pepper bellies, or Texas Salad that hass been around for decades.

Tex-Mex Salad Taco Bowls
An easy to put together, plus a quick and healthy meal, for those hot summer days.

Taco Pasta Salad

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