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Cowboy Pasta Salad

Cowboy Pasta Salad: A Creamy Taco Night in a Bowl

Cowboy Pasta Salad combines hearty pasta with zesty taco flavors for a delicious make-ahead dish that's perfect for family gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 27 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 ounces Farfalle Pasta Feel free to swap with any pasta you prefer.
  • 1 pound Ground Beef Ground turkey or veggie crumbles can be used as alternatives.
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Diced regular tomatoes are a suitable substitute.
  • 1 medium Red Onion Consider using shallots for a milder taste.
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese Try Monterey Jack or pepper Jack for a different flair.
  • 1/4 cup Cilantro Parsley or green onions can be nice swaps.
For the Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise Greek yogurt is a healthy alternative.
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream Swap with plain yogurt if desired.
  • 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar White vinegar or lemon juice work just as well.
  • 1 tablespoon Hot Sauce Adjust to your taste or omit for a milder dish.
  • 1 packet Taco Seasoning Use homemade seasoning or substitutes.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Skillet
  • mixing bowl
  • colander
  • Spatula
  • whisk

Method
 

Directions
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large mixing bowl to cool slightly.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and sauté for about 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks until browned. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, salt, and pepper, stir well, and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, taco seasoning, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and well blended, about 1-2 minutes, then set aside.
  4. To the large bowl with the cooled pasta, add the cooked ground beef, rinsed beans, corn, halved cherry tomatoes, and finely chopped red onion. Gently mix these ingredients using a spatula until evenly distributed.
  5. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture, tossing gently to coat. Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped cilantro.
  6. Serve immediately or chill for about an hour in the refrigerator to meld flavors beautifully. Garnish with additional cilantro if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 10mg

Notes

Refrigerate for an hour before serving to let the flavors meld beautifully. Adjust hot sauce according to taste preference and feel free to swap ingredients as needed.

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