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Easy Creamy Taco Pasta Salad

A white bowl filled with vibrant taco pasta salad featuring elbow macaroni, seasoned ground meat, cherry tomatoes, and black olives.
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Make this satisfying Taco Pasta Salad that combines seasoned ground beef, pasta, fresh vegetables, and a creamy dressing. It is a simple, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for potlucks or quick weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

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  • 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 sour cream
  • 1/4 cup salsa
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips or Doritos (optional, for topping)
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to cool it down. 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 mix and water into the cooked ground beef. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let the meat cool completely.
  4. While the meat cools, prepare the dressing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, salsa, lime juice, cumin, and chili powder until smooth.
  5. In a very large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, corn, cherry tomatoes, black olives, and red onion.
  6. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
  7. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend. This step is important for the best taste.
  8. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Top with crushed tortilla chips or Doritos and fresh cilantro, if using.

Notes

  • You can prepare the seasoned beef and the dressing one day ahead of time for faster assembly.
  • For a brighter flavor, use a ranch-style taco seasoning or add 1 tablespoon of dry ranch seasoning mix to the dressing.
  • If you skip the ground beef, this recipe works well as a vegetarian pasta salad using black beans as the main protein.

Nutrition

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