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Creamy taco pasta salad with ground beef, cheese, and Doritos in white bowl

Taco Pasta Salad Recipe

This easy Taco Pasta Salad brings together everything you love about tacos — seasoned ground beef, creamy ranch dressing, and crunchy Doritos — all tossed with pasta for the ultimate crowd-pleasing dish. Perfect for summer BBQs, potlucks, or meal prep, this make-ahead recipe delivers bold Mexican-inspired flavors in every bite.
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Course: Main Dish, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 485kcal
Cost: $12

Equipment

  • Large pot For boiling pasta
  • Colander To drain and cool pasta
  • Large mixing bowl For combining ingredients
  • Skillet For browning ground beef
  • Wooden Spoon For mixing
  • Knife + Cutting Board For chopping vegetables
  • Airtight container For storing leftovers

Ingredients

Base Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
  • 2 tablespoon taco seasoning adjust to taste
  • 1 lb rotini pasta or penne pasta
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes fresh or canned
  • 1 cup corn fresh, frozen, or canned
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers any color
  • 1 cup red onion finely diced
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup crushed Doritos add before serving

Dressing & Seasonings

  • 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup ranch dressing homemade or store-bought
  • 2 tablespoon lime juice fresh preferred
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce optional for spice

Instructions

  • Boil Pasta: Cook pasta until al dente, rinse with cold water, and let cool completely.
  • Brown Beef: Cook ground beef in skillet until browned; drain fat and mix in taco seasoning. Cool completely.
  • Chop Veggies: Dice tomatoes, peppers, and onions; measure corn and cheese.
  • Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, ranch, and lime juice.
  • Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss together pasta, beef, veggies, and dressing until coated.
  • Add Toppings: Stir in shredded cheese and top with crushed Doritos right before serving.
  • Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours for flavors to develop.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Nutrition

Serving: 250g | Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 760mg | Potassium: 480mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 650IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 210mg | Iron: 2.6mg