Description
Mexican-inspired taco pasta salad blends zesty flavors from two beloved cuisines. Home cooks can enjoy this quick, satisfying meal that combines pasta, ground beef, and fresh toppings for a crowd-pleasing dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (150 g) canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 250 g (8 oz) pasta (rotini or penne work best)
- 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (150 g) corn (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- ½ cup (50 g) red onion, finely diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
- ½ cup (120 ml) water
- ½ cup (120 g) sour cream
- ½ cup (120 g) salsa
- 2 tbsps lime juice
- ¼ cup (30 g) chopped cilantro (optional)
- Tortilla chips, crushed, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in salted water until perfectly al dente, then rapidly cool under cold water to prevent further cooking. Drain completely and let cool to room temperature.
- Meat Seasoning: Brown ground beef in skillet, crumbling into fine pieces. Drain excess fat and mix with taco seasoning, simmering until meat absorbs flavors and liquid reduces.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk sour cream, salsa, and lime juice into a creamy, vibrant sauce. Season with salt and pepper to elevate taste complexity.
- Ingredient Assembly: In large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, seasoned beef, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn kernels, red onion, and shredded cheese. Gently fold ingredients to distribute evenly.
- Final Touches: Pour dressing over pasta mixture, tossing carefully to coat. Optional cilantro adds fresh herbaceous notes. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, top with crushed tortilla chips for added crunch and texture.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Strictly monitor pasta cooking time to maintain al dente texture, testing pasta frequently to avoid mushiness.
- Control Beef Moisture: Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent watery consistency and ensure concentrated taco flavor absorption.
- Enhance Dressing Consistency: Whisk dressing ingredients vigorously to create smooth, well-integrated sauce that coats pasta evenly without clumping.
- Optimize Flavor Melding: Allow salad to chill minimum 30 minutes, enabling ingredients to blend and develop deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 496
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 804 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 81 mg