Description
A delicious and easy-to-make Ranch Taco Pasta Salad combining zesty taco-seasoned ground beef, rotini pasta, fresh veggies, and a creamy ranch salsa dressing. Perfect as a hearty side dish or a full meal that’s kid-friendly and full of bold Mexican-American flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Meat
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
Vegetables and Add-ins
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
Cheese and Dressing
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside to cool.
- Prepare Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef (or ground turkey) until fully cooked. Drain excess fat. Add taco seasoning and water, stirring to coat the meat evenly. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let cool a bit.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, seasoned meat, cherry tomatoes, black beans, corn kernels, diced red bell pepper, diced red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and sliced black olives.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing and salsa until smooth and well combined.
- Toss Salad: Pour the ranch-salsa dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss everything gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with dressing.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh cilantro over the salad as a fresh garnish before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- This salad can be made ahead and chilled for up to 24 hours for enhanced flavor.
- If the pasta absorbs too much dressing after chilling, add extra salsa or ranch before serving to refresh moisture and taste.
- Works well as both a side dish or a filling main meal option.
- Use ground turkey as a lighter alternative to beef to reduce fat.
- Can substitute gluten-free pasta to make it gluten-free if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop, No-Bake
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
