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Cowboy Pasta Salad

Cowboy Pasta Salad: Quick, Easy, and Packed with Flavor

Cowboy Pasta Salad is a quick and easy dish that combines hearty ingredients for a flavorful meal that can be customized to your liking.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 oz Bowtie Pasta Cook until al dente.
  • 1 lb Ground Beef Can substitute with turkey or vegetarian meat.
  • 1 tbsp Taco Seasoning Homemade blend can lower sodium.
  • 1 can Black Beans Rinse before use.
  • 4 slices Bacon Turkey bacon is a leaner alternative.
  • 2 cup Various Vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, corn) Use seasonal veggies.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise Can swap with Greek yogurt.
  • 1/4 cup Barbecue Sauce Use your favorite brand.
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Spicy Brown Mustard
  • 1 tsp Hot Sauce Adjust according to heat preference.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Frying pan

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with taco seasoning for 6–8 minutes. Stir in rinsed black beans and heat through for 2–3 minutes.
  3. Cook bacon in a frying pan over medium heat until crispy, about 5–7 minutes. Crumble into bite-sized pieces.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, spicy brown mustard, and hot sauce until smooth.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, beef mixture, crumbled bacon, and diced vegetables. Drizzle dressing over and toss to coat.
  6. Serve immediately or chill for at least an hour to enhance flavors.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 10gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For a deeper flavor, let the salad chill for at least an hour; store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

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