Description
Taco Pasta Salad with Doritos: Zesty fusion of pasta, taco seasoning, cheddar, and crunchy Doritos. Quick, crowd-pleasing delight!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225g) rotini pasta (or your favorite short pasta)
- 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef
- 1 packet (1 oz/28g) taco seasoning
- 1 cup (240ml) catalina dressing or French dressing
- 1 can (15 oz/425g) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup (175g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (150g) corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
- ½ cup (75g) red onion, finely diced
- 2 cups (85g) shredded lettuce
- 1 cup (113g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups (80g) Nacho Cheese Doritos, slightly crushed
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Pasta Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain immediately and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking, then set aside in a large mixing bowl to cool completely.
- Step 2: Cook the Meat While the pasta cooks, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles as it cooks. Once no pink remains (about 7-8 minutes), drain any excess fat. Return the meat to the pan and sprinkle with the taco seasoning. Add ¼ cup water, stir well, and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the meat is fully seasoned. Remove from heat and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Combine Base Ingredients In your large bowl with the cooled pasta, add the seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, diced bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Pour about ¾ of the catalina dressing over these ingredients and toss gently to combine, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
- Step 4: Add Finishing Touches Just before serving, fold in the shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese. Drizzle with the remaining dressing if needed. Give everything a final gentle toss to incorporate all ingredients while maintaining their distinct textures.
- Step 5: Add the Doritos Magic Right before serving, gently fold in about 1½ cups of the crushed Doritos, reserving some for garnish. Work quickly but carefully to maintain their crunch. Top the Taco Pasta Salad With Doritos with the remaining crushed chips and sprinkle with fresh cilantro for a pop of color and freshness.