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freshly made taco pasta salad in a large bowl.
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4.86 from 7 votes

Taco Pasta Salad

My Taco Pasta Salad recipe with Doritos and French dressing is a must try. Loaded with everything you'd want to see on your taco and more, this is a great recipe to serve to guests or even enjoy with your family at the dinner table!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken ranch pasta salad, taco pasta salad
Servings: 16
Calories: 401kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 pound pasta uncooked, such as penne or shells
  • 1 cup corn canned or frozen
  • 15 ounce black beans rinsed and drained (1 can)
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes
  • 2 cups iceberg lettuce shredded
  • ½ cup black olives pitted, sliced
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese or mexican blend, shredded
  • cups French dressing
  • 1 cup doritos crushed

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and rinse it well with cold water.
    process shots showing how to make leftover ham and cheese penne.
  • Brown and crumble the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Drain off the fat and mix in the taco seasoning.
    process shots showing how to make taco pasta salad.
  • Add all the ingredients to a large mixing bowl and toss well until everything is coated with dressing. Serve cold and enjoy!
    process shots showing how to make taco pasta salad.

Video

Notes

  1. Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the meat and pasta a day ahead and store them in the fridge. Just assemble and toss with the dressing right before serving.
  2. Vegan/Vegetarian Adaptations: Replace the ground beef with a plant-based alternative and use vegan cheese to make this dish vegan-friendly.
  3. Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. However, it's best to store the dressing and Doritos separately to maintain texture.
  4. Heat Factor: If you like it spicy, feel free to add some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing for that extra kick.
  5. Cheese Options: While cheddar or a Mexican blend is recommended, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like pepper jack for a spicy twist.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 397mg | Potassium: 377mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 538IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 2mg