Taco Pasta Salad
This easy spin on a taco salad will leave you craving more! Serve this taco pasta salad as a side or on its own as the main course. So easy to make ahead on those busy days!
Servings: 6
Calories: 564kcal
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Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef can substitute for ground venison
- 1 package dry taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup water
- 8-12 ounces spiral pasta, 1/2-3/4 box (uncooked)
- 1 head lettuce, cut or torn into small pieces
- 1/2 medium red onion, chopped
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 bag Doritos (9 ounce bag), crushed
- 6 ounces lite Western dressing
Optional Items You May Like to Add:
- avocado
- black olives
- canned corn
- black beans
- cilantro leaves
- green pepper
Instructions
- Prepare taco meat. In a large skillet or frying pan on medium heat, brown and fully cook the lean ground beef along with the chopped red onion (really any onion can be used, I like to cook the meat with the onion for flavor!). Crumble the ground beef as it cooks. When it's cooked through, reduce heat to low and add the taco seasoning and 1/4 cup water. Stir well just so it's all mixed through, remove taco meat from stove. The taco meat can be served hot or cold in the salad, whichever you prefer.
- As you're frying the ground beef and onion, you can be cooking the pasta! Cook 1/2-3/4 box pasta according to directions on the box (I use the longest cooking time so the pasta isn't firm, it's up to you which way you prefer it).
- While the ground beef and pasta are cooking, you can prepare the other ingredients for the salad. Tear or cut lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Slice the green onions and cherry tomatoes. Break Doritos into small pieces. Prepare any optional ingredients, if you choose to add them.
- When you're ready to serve, mix all ingredients (including the dressing) together in a large bowl. If you'd prefer, you can also make up individual salads and add dressing on top of each. Add more or less of any ingredient you prefer. Enjoy!!
Your Own Private Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 564kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 1010mg | Potassium: 672mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1830IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 323mg | Iron: 4mg
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