Description
Zesty ranch meets Mexican-inspired flavors in this Creamy Ranch Taco Pasta Salad that combines tangy dressing with hearty pasta. Packed with colorful ingredients and bold seasonings, you’ll savor each delicious bite of this crowd-pleasing summer dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Vegetables and Fruits:
- 3 cups rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
Dairy and Dressing:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Fresh chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Sprinkle taco seasoning over the meat, stirring thoroughly to distribute evenly, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process.
- Transfer cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl and add the seasoned ground beef, chopped cherry tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, diced bell pepper, sliced black olives, and finely diced red onion.
- Prepare the creamy dressing by whisking ranch dressing and sour cream in a separate bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Drizzle the dressing over the pasta mixture, gently folding ingredients to ensure even coverage and prevent pasta from breaking.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro across the top for added freshness and vibrant color.
- Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and serve chilled.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content and make the dish lighter.
- Swap beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a healthier protein alternative that keeps the taco flavor profile.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting taco seasoning or adding jalapeños for spice enthusiasts who want an extra kick.
- Prepare pasta al dente to prevent soggy texture and maintain a pleasant chewiness in the salad.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 495 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 730 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg