Description

A quick and easy taco pasta salad combining seasoned ground beef, creamy dressing, and crunchy Doritos for a bold and satisfying meal perfect for weeknights or parties.

Ingredients

Scale

8 ounces (225g) rotini or bowtie pasta
1 lb (450g) ground beef (preferably 80/20)
1 packet (about 1 oz/28g) taco seasoning mix
2 cups (about 140g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup (150g) canned black beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
1 cup (150g) frozen corn, thawed
1/2 cup (75g) diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup (75g) chopped green onions
1 bag (about 9.25 oz / 262g) Nacho Cheese Doritos, lightly crushed
1 cup (240ml) sour cream
1/2 cup (120ml) salsa
1 tbsp (15ml) lime juice
1 tsp (5ml) garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini or bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8–10 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside to drain well (about 5 minutes).
While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and no longer pink (6–8 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
Sprinkle 1 packet of taco seasoning over the browned beef. Add 1/4 cup water and stir to combine. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened and beef is fully coated. Remove from heat and let cool.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup salsa, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, seasoned beef, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup black beans, 1 cup thawed corn, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, and 1/2 cup chopped green onions. Pour dressing over and toss gently until evenly coated.
Just before serving, lightly crush the full bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos and sprinkle on top. Toss gently to distribute chips without losing crunch.
Serve immediately, garnished with extra green onions or cilantro if desired.

Notes

Toast taco seasoning with beef for deeper flavor. Crush Doritos just before serving to keep crunch. Salad can be refrigerated up to 2 days but add chips only before serving to avoid sogginess. For vegetarian or vegan versions, substitute ground beef with tofu or lentils and use dairy-free sour cream and cheese.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 1 cup per serv
Calories: 350
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 550
Fat: 15
Saturated Fat: 7
Carbohydrates: 30
Fiber: 4
Protein: 18

Keywords: taco pasta salad, seasoned beef, Doritos, quick dinner, easy pasta salad, taco seasoning, crunchy salad, weeknight meal