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Quick Taco Pasta Salad

Quick Taco Pasta Salad for Effortless Family Dinners

Quick Taco Pasta Salad is a delightful fusion of tacos and pasta salad, making it perfect for busy weeknights and gatherings.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Salad Base
  • 1 lb Ground Beef 85/15 or 90/10 recommended.
  • 8 oz Rotini Pasta Cook until al dente.
  • 1 medium Green Pepper Can substitute with red pepper.
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion Can substitute with shallots.
  • 1 cup Grape Tomatoes Halved.
  • 2 cups Iceberg Lettuce Shredded.
  • 1 cup Sliced Black Olives Can substitute with green olives.
For the Flavor
  • 1 packet Taco Seasoning McCormick's Mild recommended.
  • 1 cup Cheddar Jack Cheese Sargento Shredded preferred.
  • 1 cup French Dressing Wish-Bone recommended.
For the Crunch
  • 2 cups Doritos Can substitute with tortilla chips.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • large mixing bowl
  • Colander

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Begin by dicing the green pepper and chopping the yellow onion into small pieces. Halve the grape tomatoes and shred the iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
  2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a vigorous boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook for about 7-9 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and rinse under cool water.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat, then add taco seasoning and a splash of water.
  4. In the large mixing bowl, toss in the cooled rotini, seasoned ground beef, shredded cheddar jack cheese, and sliced black olives. Mix gently.
  5. Pour the French dressing over the salad mixture and toss until evenly coated.
  6. Right before serving, crush Doritos and fold them into the salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 20gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 10mg

Notes

Reserve some cheese and crushed chips for garnish before serving to enhance the dish's presentation.

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